The Pre/borderline diabetic Corper with a Big Appeptite

Happy New Year everyone. I am wishing you and your family season's greetings and wishing you a prosperous year. Around last year October, I fell inside a gutter in Lagos and suffered a severe leg infection. I was down for about a month and by the Grace of God, I am healed and well. During the Christmas break I traveled to Canada to spend some time with my family and took some time to seek further medical advice and take additional booster shots.

After seeing my family doctor, I was told that the medical tests I had taken before I left for NYSC showed that I have high glucose levels and I am.............PRE/BORDERLINE DIABETIC. I initially bursted out in tears because I actually thought that I was diabetic but by the time the doctor got me to calm down he explained that being prediabetic is different from having type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The main message he relayed to me is that prediabetes can be cured if I change my diet and my lifestyle. I have to be grateful because I was not suppose to take a glucose test but my family doctor, Dr. Lee, went ahead and took the initiative to run the test. If not for this test, I would have approximately 5 years before having full blown out diabetes.

So I have been pre-diabetic for at least a few months but I am addicted to Fanta. In Nigeria, I drink at least 3-6 bottles everyday which is quite scary for someone that is close to being diabetic. Dr. Lee said that just cutting the Fanta or reducing my intake to at least once a day would make a big impact in my glucose levels. I also have to lose weight despite the fact that I am a very slim figured. In addition, I have to watch the foods I eat, making sure I am taking food that is low on the glycemic index. I must be very careful of carbohydrates because carbohydrates can spike your blood sugar level.

My major challenge has been that a typical Nigerian diet is rich in carboyhydrates and this can be deadly for my condition. How do I still enjoy my staple products but still be healthy. I have been struggling with this problem and corper allowance is too small to support such a drastic change. I want to use this platform to help people facing a similar situation. I noticed that many Nigerians will not come out and say that this is there illness. There is a sense of shame and stigma attached to such an illness. I am pretty scared because I'm not married and I do not want this to be held against me by any potential suitors. Hence I have been "codingly" doing my research, reaching out to doctors and food bloggers.

I have not had much luck and people keep referring me to a dietitian but I can't afford one at the moment.What I have been able to find out is listed below:

1. Ofada rice is a a much better option that white rice. 
2. Agege bread and white bread is a bigger "no"(try not to  eat them). 
3. Wheat or whole bread is a better alternative but I have yet to come across whole grain bread in Nigeria.
4. Drink real fruit juice from the actually fruit and not store bought juice. 
5. Pineapple, mango, and watermelon is a "no". 
6. Apples, oranges, berries, and pears are "yeses".
7. Semo, pounded yam, amala, or yam all have high glycemic number and it's better to avoid or take these items in small portions.
8. I am using  oatmeal as my form of swallow. 
9. Unripe plantain is apparently great for diabetics so I will  be attempting to using plantain to make swallow.
10. Try to eat fish whenever possible
11. Use sweeteners and liquid sweeteners
12. Make sure your meals are 2/3 vegetables
13. I'm supposed to be eating low fat yogurt and milk but all the yogurts I have come across are highly sugarish.

It's all about portion control and eating frequently throughout the day instead of having big meals. Also, you should not skip meals. This is all I have and can remember for now.  I hope to share my findings with you and I encourage you to share your own as well.