About the Prevention of Diabetes

Preventing diabetes is far easier than treating it

Preventing diabetes is not really that difficult, especially if you realize what a terribly harmful disease diabetes is. It can affect every cell in your body and cause you to lose your hands and arms, feet and legs. You could go blind from it, develop kidney or heart problems, high blood pressure, and other devastating problems. When you work to prevent diabetes, you are really just living a healthy life of eating right and exercising.

Take these steps that may help you prevent diabetes

Of course, some cases of the disease are hereditary, and a person will get the disease even if they eat the right way. Those with close relatives who are diabetics can take extra steps to try to avoid this disease.

1. Don't necessarily give up all of your favorite foods -- just eat less of them. Control how often you eat fried chicken and chocolate cake. If you are not diabetic, it is okay to eat these and other favorite foods occasionally. Just don't make them part of your everyday diet. And, when you do eat them, purposely eat about one-third to one-half as much as those who aren't trying to prevent diabetes eat. Instead of eating four pieces of fried chicken, eat one and fill up on salad with low fat dressing instead of French fries. If you are really craving the fries, eat only a few or a child size order.

2. Diabetes research shows that exercising on a regular basis helps keep blood glucose levels lower. When we exercise, the glucose in our system is used to provide energy, so the level of sugar in the blood is lowered. Even if you are trying to prevent this disease, exercise is important.

3. Type 2 diabetes occurs more often in people who are overweight or obese. Even losing a few pounds can reduce your risk of developing this disease.

Tips on how to change your daily habits to live a healthier lifestyle

1. Try fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that you always thought you didn't like. You may be able to learn to like many of them since you're no longer a child.

2. Get into the habit of eating smaller meals plus snacks. If you skip meals and then eat a whole day's worth of food at one meal each day, metabolic changes can occur according to a study conducted by diabetes researchers at the National Institute on Aging. Test subjects had elevated levels of blood sugar when fasting, and a delayed insulin response that could eventually lead to diabetes.