Some people have blood glucose (sugar) levels above the normal range but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is known as pre-diabetes or non-diabetic hyperglycaemia.
People with pre-diabetes are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but the risk can be reduced through lifestyle changes. By making small, daily lifestyle shifts, you can nudge your blood sugar back into the safe zone and potentially avoid the need for long-term medication.
What lifestyle changes can you make:
- Try to eat a healthy diet including whole fruit, vegetables and pulses such as chickpeas and lentils
- Try to spend at least 2.5 hours (across the whole week) either walking or doing another activity that leaves you out of breath
- Try to lose weight if you've been told you're overweight
- Stop smoking – having diabetes increases the harmful effects of smoking
- Limit how much alcohol you drink
