Out of the entire population of the United States, 88 million, aged 18 or older have prediabetes. Prediabetes is a health condition that is identified when your blood sugar is higher than normal. However, your levels are not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease amongst Americans. While there is an immense amount of Americans who are prediabetic, 80% of the population don’t know they have it. Becoming aware of your health condition is crucial because prediabetes is your chance to counteract a diabetes diagnosis altogether.

Roughly 90% of cases of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes in the US could be avoided by lifestyle changes, according to Harvard School of Public Health. While there are people who are genetically predisposed to developing the condition, many others could avoid it, and can reverse symptoms by making changes to their diet. Maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular exercise are important factors in avoiding the condition, but the quality of your diet also plays an integral role. The standard American diet has evolved to become low in nutrients and high in refined carbohydrates, contributing to the rise in type 2 diabetes. So what should your diet look like if you want to avoid developing the condition?