What Can You Do To Prevent Diabetes? (Type I & II)

Much attention has been focused in recent years on diabetes prevention. Organizations such as the American Diabetes Association have launched campaigns in order to educate the public about various prevention tactics. Such campaigns have added new momentum to the worldwide fight against diabetes.

You should be aware of the fact that there are certain factors that can make you more susceptible to diabetes. If you are overweight, have a blood pressure of 140/90 or higher, or gave birth to at least one baby weighing more than nine pounds, you could be at risk. Also, if you have a parent or sibling with diabetes, you are a member of a racial minority group, or you are 45 years or older, you have a greater chance of becoming diabetic.

Diabetes is often preceded by a condition known as pre-diabetes. Medical research has shown that pre-diabetes is entirely treatable, and that individuals diagnosed with pre-diabetes can stop the development of type 2 diabetes by making some lifestyle changes. In fact, pre-diabetes patients can even restore their blood glucose to levels that are considered normal.

At times, medication can be used in order to thwart diabetes. Nonetheless, studies indicate that diet and exercise are often more effective than drugs in curbing the disease. In fact, research shows that a 58 percent reduction in diabetes can be achieved by reducing body weight by five to ten percent and engaging in a half-hour of moderate physical activity each day.

Many individuals may be surprised to learn just how important diet is in terms of diabetes prevention. What you eat can have a profound effect on your blood glucose levels. If you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, it is a good idea to follow a diabetes meal plan. This plan will guide you as to how much and what kinds of food to eat at meals and for snacks.

An appropriate food guide will not only enhance your blood glucose levels, but will also improve your blood pressure, cholesterol count, and weight. Even if your doctor has determined that you do not need to lose weight, a meal plan can be highly effective in keeping diabetes at bay.

As part of your diabetes prevention program, your physician may recommend that you consult with a dietician. The dietician can develop a highly personalized meal plan that can enable you to fight off diabetes. As an extra bonus, your meal plan could help you ward off additional medical problems such as heart disease, cancer, and hypertension.

Whether your dietician recommends following the food guide pyramid or counting carbohydrates, your diet can go a long way to reducing your risk for diabetes.

In general, a healthy diabetic diet includes a variety of food, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, non-fat dairy products, and lean meat. It is also important to keep a close eye on portion sizes in order to keep your weight in check. You should choose foods that have a healthy amount of vitamins, minerals, and fibers. If at all possible, you should avoid highly processed foods which are often devoid of nutrients.

The interesting thing about a diabetes prevention diet is that it does not ordinarily include exotic or hard-to-find foods. For the most part, you will be eating the same kinds of food as the rest of the members of your family. In this way, diabetes prevention can truly be a family affair.

Another critical component of diabetes prevention is exercise. Regular physical activity can keep your blood glucose levels under control, making the development of diabetes less likely. In addition, exercise is generally considered to be an important part of a healthy lifestyle.