Healthy Eating and Diabetes
Did you know there are 23.6 million children and adults in the United States, or 7.8% of the population, who have diabetes? While an estimated 17.9 million have been diagnosed with diabetes; 5.7 million people (or nearly one quarter) are unaware that they have the disease. ¹ Three of my family members are amongst the 17.9 million that have been diagnosed with this disease. While eating healthy takes too much discipline, it can lower the risk for diabetes and can lead to a longer healthier life.
To avoid becoming part of the statistic one of the steps one can take is by making healthy choices in what one eats. Incorporating vegetables and fruits into meals will be of help in reducing the risk. Include fish at least 2 -3 times a week. Drink plenty of water and if a soda is something one has to drink, opt for a diet cola instead of sugary drinks even sweetened ice tea. Cutting back on snacks such as chips, cookies or ice-cream is also a good start in reducing high sugar foods. If sugar is a must have, candies are now sold as “sugar-free”. Although they have a funny taste to them, it is an alternate way to help with the sugar fix one needs and avoid many calories but with the same sweet taste. Eating healthy has benefits such as reducing the risk for diabetes and lowering blood cholesterol. Make the right choices life depends on it.
Staying active can be difficult to keep up with however, it is a huge benefit for those that are at risk for diabetes. Incorporating even just 30 minutes a day will help in many ways as I will list momentarily. Even doing house work or gardening can be considered being active, anything that makes one break a sweat can be helpful to the body. Walking can also be a good way to do exercise without straining yourself in any way. Whether walking alone or with a buddy would also be a way to release stress at the same time. Below are the 5 of the 10 benefits of being active as...