November is National Diabetes awareness month. Everyone knows someone with diabetes, and maybe the someone is you. Almost twenty five million people in America have diabetes, this includes both children and adults. There are seventy nine million people in America with prediabetes that are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. It is estimated that as many as one in three Americans will have diabetes by 2050 if we do not stop the growth of this disease now!
The best way to prevent type two diabetes is to live a healthy lifestyle. Be sure to eat well, a lot of veggies and natural foods. Stay away from “junk” foods and highly processed things. You also should be sure to get that fine body in motion every day! Park at the end of a parking lot when you go places, forcing you to walk more. Take the steps instead of the elevator when possible. Sign up for fitness classes, get a walking buddy, or go biking! These are just a few of the lifestyle changes that can help prevent diabetes and keep you healthier longer.
Early detection of diabetes will decrease some of the complications that can come with this disease. Be aware of the symptoms:
Urinating often
Feeling very thirsty
Feeling very hungry even when you just ate
Extreme fatigue
Blurry vision
Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
Weight loss even if you are eating enough (type 1 diabetes)
Pain, tingling and numbness in hands and feet (type 2 diabetes)
Diabetes is a common disease but everyone needs unique care. Please always consult with your own doctor before trying a new medicine or method that someone might have told you about.
National Diabetes Month is meant to educate people on this disease and help spread the word to help prevent this! Parents with and without diabetes should be sure to teach their kids healthy eating and encourage an active lifestyle. They learn eating habits from us, so we are the biggest influence to helping our young ones stay diabetes free!
Do you have diabetes? How do you manage this disease? Have you changed your lifestyle since being diagnosed?
“The best way to prevent diabetes is to live a healthy lifestyle.” At the risk of being nit-picky, this should read “The best way to prevent T2 diabetes … ” My sister has T1, and she was diagnosed as a child. She has had to fight negative stereotypes and even bullying because people assumed she was eating an unhealthy diet, was lazy or otherwise caused her own condition. She didn’t, and there was nothing she could have done to prevent it even had she lived the healthiest life ever.
Yes you are correct! Type 2 can be preventing through healthy eating and exercise. I’m so sorry to hear of your sisters struggles 🙁
Thank you for your support. I have Type 1 diabetes and it is great to see that you are getting the warning signs out there. Healthy eating is so important to managing diabetes.
We are all here to help and support each other!
Thanks for the info. Found out I had diabetes 4 years ago. This blog has been very beneficial.
I’m so happy you found us! Wishing you luck with your health 🙂
Yay for this blog! Type 2 runs in my family (my maternal grandfather and now my mother). I’ve recently lost 51 lbs with a little left to go to reach goal weight. I’ve worked closely with my doctor to get the weight off to help (hopefully) prevent type 2 from making me another member of the family! Great recipes here that are making me recognize my new weight maintenance will be easier and more delicious than I thought!