November is National Diabetes Month and Diabetes Awareness Day Is November 14th. I wanted to share with my readers in a 2-part series some important and interesting information that I researched on various articles I found on the internet.
Diabetes awareness is very important to me because my dad has type 2 diabetes. My grandfather suffered for many years with type 2 and passed away before I was born. My mother had type 2 diabetes but was able to get it reversed with weight loss and diet. My mom has been free from diabetes for the past 7-years and is living a much better and healthier life.
During the month of November, Individuals and communities across the country join together to team up to bring attention to diabetes. This year’s focus is on prediabetes and preventing diabetes.
What is Prediabetes:
Prediabetes is a serious health condition where your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. According to the CDC, more than 1 in 3 U.S. adults have prediabetes, that’s 88 million people, but the majority of individuals don’t know they have it. With making a positive decision and sticking with it, the good news is that by making small healthy lifestyle changes, it is possible to prevent type 2 diabetes, reverse your prediabetes, and also improve your overall health.
Listed below are some tips to help manage prediabetes and prevent diabetes:
• Take small steps. Making changes to your lifestyle and daily habits can be hard, but you don’t have to change everything at once. It is okay to start small. Remember that setbacks are normal and do not mean you have failed. The key is to get back on track as soon as you can.
• Move more. Limit time spent sitting and try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity, 5 days a week. Start slowly by breaking it up throughout the day.
• Choose healthier foods and drinks most of the time. Pick foods that are high in fiber and low in fat and sugar. Build a plate that includes a balance of vegetables, protein, and carbohydrates. Drink water instead of sweetened drinks.
• Lose weight, track it, and keep it off. You may be able to prevent or delay diabetes by losing 5 to 7 percent of your starting weight.
• Seek support. It is possible to reverse prediabetes. Making a plan, tracking your progress, and getting support from your health care professional and loved ones can help you make the necessary lifestyle changes.
• Stay up to date on vaccinations. The COVID-19 (booster shot, if eligible) and flu vaccines are especially important for people who may be more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 or the flu, such as people with diabetes.
Source of Information: Various Google Searches
Until Next Week, Stay Safe and Well