November is Diabetes Awareness Month
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.
- Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which your body attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body’s cells use glucose for energy.
- Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It occurs when your body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin.
How to prevent diabetes
There are some things you can do to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes, including:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Quitting smoking
Foods to avoid.
If you have diabetes, there are some foods you should avoid or limit, such as:
- Sugary drinks, such as soda, juice, and sports drinks
- Refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, pasta, and rice
- Processed foods, such as chips, cookies, and candy
- Red meat and high-fat dairy products
Foods to eat more of
Instead of the foods listed above, focus on eating more of the following foods:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Lean protein, such as fish, chicken, and beans
- Healthy fats, such as those found in olive oil, nuts, and seeds.
Other tips for managing diabetes.
In addition to eating a healthy diet, there are other things you can do to manage your diabetes, such as:
- Monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly.
- Taking your medications as prescribed
- Getting regular checkups from your doctor
Diabetes can be a serious condition, but it is manageable with proper care. By following the tips above, you can help to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes and manage the condition if you already have it.
Here are some additional educational resources on diabetes:
- American Diabetes Association: https://www.diabetes.org/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes
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