Beth I find it worrying that a doctor scares you off eating fat. Fat is necessary for brain health. Red meat we need for iron.

If you read the work of Dr. Jason Fung, a renowned Canadian nephrologist, hopefully you will have a better take on how to live into your nineties. He has written so many books on diets.

This post on dietary fats and sugar is an eye opener.

https://blog.supplysideliberal.com/post/2017/7/3/chx0ya2doz7p70m5mcseih8g9qdfoo

The other group of doctors you might find interesting you will find here.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=the+diet+doctor+

One thing I would do, and have done, is eliminate all processed foods. That way you don't have to read labels so much.

I am not a doctor, but I do read lots, and find huge amounts of comfort in the work of Dr. Fung.

Pre-diabetic is when you really need answers. Diabetes can be turned around.

Also, you might be interested in the work of Dr. Mehmet Yildez, here on Medium.

https://medium.com/illumination/heres-why-and-how-type-ii-diabetes-is-reversible-f6e5303dd40e