This page is for patients of the Village Green Surgery, Wallsend who have been diagnosed with Prediabetes
Your recent blood test has revealed that you have pre-diabetes. This does not cause symptoms. The test done shows your sugar levels over the last 3 months, it is not affected by recent food or drink.
Pre diabetes means that you have a blood sugar level that is higher than normal, but NOT yet in the range of actual diabetes. However, with pre-diabetes, there is an INCREASED chance that you will develop type 2 diabetes.
You can make changes NOW that can improve your overall health and lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and its associated complications. A healthy balanced diet and regular exercise will help achieve this.
Please see the videos and links below for more information on prediabetes (and why it is so important), how the Northern Diabetes Prevention Programme could help you prevent developing Type 2 Diabetes, and information on diet and exercise.
You will require a blood test EVERY YEAR FOR LIFE to ensure that you have not become diabetic. If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact Nurse Reception on 0191 295 8512
On this page:
What is Prediabetes?
You may also find this link from Diabetes UK helpful. You can calculate your risk of Type 2 Diabetes here.
What is Diabetes?
How Can I Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?
Improving your diet, exercising more and losing weight are the most effective ways of preventing Type 2 Diabetes. As you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes is much higher and we need to take action now.
We know these changes can be very difficult, however the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is there to help. 96% of people using this service said it helped them improve their diet and habits. There is more information on the service here, and the video below has some more information.
If you would like to be referred to the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, please contact Nurse Reception on 0191 295 8512.
If you need more support with getting active, Active North Tyneside has information on local free exercise programmes.
It is also important that you stop smoking, and drink alcohol within recommended limits.
We have also included some dietary advice below:
- Fried foods – Grill, oven bake, microwave or stew. AVOID frying.
- Fats – spread margarine thinly, use oil in small amounts, use monounsaturated oils but sparingly. Do not add margarine to vegetables or potatoes
- Cakes and pastries – Avoid cakes and pastries, instead try teacakes, scotch pancakes, crumpets or tea breads with a thin scraping of margarine or jam
- Sweets, chocolates, biscuits and crisps – avoid nibbling on these. Instead try and fill up on fruit and vegetables
- Cheese – Have no more than 4 oz per week/114g per week. Remember hidden cheeses in pizza and pasta dishes
- Dressings and sauces – choose low fat sauces and avoid cream or cheese-based sauces. Be careful with mayonnaise
- Fish – Eat fish 2-3 times a week and aim for oily fish once or twice a week. e.g. herring, salmon
- Meat – choose lean meat and chicken without skin. Avoid processed meat products e.g kievs, nuggets etc
- Milk/Dairy – use skimmed or semi- skilled milk and low-fat yoghurts. Avoid cream
- Pulses – Try to eat beans or pulses at least twice a week e.g lentil soup, chickpea curry
- Fruit and vegetables – try for 5 portions a day. You can add these to curries or stews. Serve 2 or more portions with a main meal, have fruit as a snack, tomato and salad in sandwiches and make soup or broth with lots of vegetables
