Diabetes prevention diet plan?

terra_ferma

There is another approach to nutrition for those with insulin resistance/pre-diabetes, particularly if linked to PCOS.
It's called the insulin resistance diet
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Insulin-Resistance-Diet-Bodys-Fat-making-Machine/dp/0809224275/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328482224&sr=8-1

It's based on reducing carbs, but also with balancing them with the right amount of proteins.
The advantage is that this diet is very simple to follow and less restrictive, and if it's not low enough it's a good first step to get rid of junk food, reduce calorie intake and introduce whole grains.
It's a bit too low-fat (=processed foods) in my opinion, but can be adapted very easily.

If calorie counting is part of the approach she takes, there are two good resources I would recoomend:
myfitnesspal.com (database with cal and carb values for various foods, although not always accurate and with too many repetitions, but useful. Also a phone app to keep track of cals.

Another resource I found really good for cal counting is Scottish Slimmers, they have a system similar to WW, with points (called checks), but entirely based on calories. It makes calorie counting much easier than having to do calculations for each bit of food she eats. Classes in Scotland only, but online and also books can be found on ebay most of the time.

fiesta04

I have changed my job recently, it involves a fair amount of walking, and I have found that this has brought my Blood Sugar levels down. My diet has not changed.

I am really HAPPY now as levels have come down to 7.1 from 9.6, which is where it had stayed for nearly 3 years. Still means 6 Metformin tabs 2 Glimepiride and 1 Saxaglipton daily.

So exercise really helps as much as diet!!!

ktb

I will add another voice to the low carb suggestions. My OH's Dad was recently diagnosed with Type II so I extensively researched it and 'Low Carb / High Fat' (LCHF) is definitely worth investigating. I noticed someone mentioned Gary Taubes already and there are a lot of positive noises from Doctors in Sweden and Scandinavia, where this way of eating is proving very positive for conditions like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure etc.

It is important that as well as lowering carbs you increase the intake of saturated fats though, that really is the key - as your body needs a source of fuel and dietary fat is essential for lots of many of the body's key functions. Low fat / high carb diet advice has been extremely counter intuitive, as the soaring levels of metabolic diseases & obesity just shows!

I have found this this website invaluable and there are some great videos on there explaining all the benefits, by Doctors and specialists. http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf