Borderline Diabetic Diet

Borderline diabetes, also known as prediabetes, is the initial stage of type 2 diabetes. A person is said to suffer from this condition if his blood sugar level is higher than normal; but not as high as found in case of diabetes. Improper lifestyle and eating habits are the major causes of borderline diabetes. As the symptoms of this condition are difficult to identify, it often remains undiagnosed until it progresses into full-fledged type 2 diabetes. However, it is possible to prevent borderline diabetes progressing into diabetes simply by making some changes in lifestyle and diet. It is essential to follow the borderline diabetes diet to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. Let us take a look at it in detail.

Borderline Diabetic Diet Plan

The aim of this diet is to control the blood sugar level. Therefore, you need to follow a strict diet. On the other hand, it is also essential to include every kind of food in the diet to gain all the required nutrients like proteins, vitamins, minerals, etc. The following is the list of foods to eat and those to avoid when on this diet.

Food to Eat
When talking about the guidelines regarding this diet plan, the first and the foremost thing to note is to follow a diet that is low in sugar and carbohydrates. Secondly, processed food should also be excluded from the diet as they take a longer time to digest. On the other hand, you should include natural food and large amount of fiber in your daily diet. Fibers do not contain fats and also aid in the process of digestion. Based on these guidelines, the following is a list of food that can be consumed to control the high blood sugar.

• Fresh fruits
• Green leafy vegetables
• Bran
• Whole wheat
• Brown rice
• Beans
• Lentils
• Berries
• Yogurt (sugar free)
• Olive oil
• Low fat, skinless meat
• Breast chicken
• Turkey
• Egg white
• Skimmed milk
• Nuts
• Lean proteins
• Soy products
• Low fat or fat free cheeses
• Oats
• Almonds
• Walnuts

Food to Avoid
In case of prediabetes or diabetes, as the blood sugar level is already high, it is obvious that you should cut down on sugar completely. The borderline diabetes diet does not recommend starvation; however, you need to get rid of certain foodstuff to control the blood sugar. The following is the list of food to be avoided in this diet.

• Desserts
• Cakes
• Plain sugar
• Candy
• Soda
• Lard
• Margarine
• Butter
• Pork fat
• Hydrogenated oils
• Cheese
• Coconut oil
• All fried foods
• All fatty foods
• French fries
• Cheese pizza and cheese macaroni
• Alcohol
• Processed foods

Water Intake
Regular drinking water also forms an important part of this diet. Drinking adequate amounts of water helps in faster metabolism, which consequently leads to weight loss. Secondly, water also acts as a natural appetite suppressant which brings a temporary feeling of satiety. This feeling makes a person eat less, and hence, helps in weight loss. On the other hand, water aids in proper digestion and helps treat constipation. Therefore, it is essential to drink 8-10 glasses of plain drinking water every day. You should not substitute water with drinks containing caffeine or aerated drinks or sports drinks. Water is one of the most important component of the prediabetes diet and should not be ignored.

As a concluding note, you should remember that following this diet helps a lot in prevention of type 2 diabetes. If a person experiences more severe symptoms, he should consult the doctor to get the condition diagnosed properly. Lastly, you should remember that borderline diabetes can be controlled by following the diet strictly and regularly. Take care!