November is Diabetes Awareness Month

 

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. It can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems if it’s not controlled.

One in 11 Americans have diabetes – that’s more than 29 million people. And another 86 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The good news? People who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes can lower their risk by more than half if they make healthy life style changes.

 

These changes include: eating healthy, increasing physical activity, and losing weight.

You don’t have to make changes all at once, start simple then slowly increase. Choose a dark green salad over iceberg lettuce with blue cheese, take a flight of stairs, and eat one or two less bites at a meal: then choose a dark green salad with fat free dressing over iceberg lettuce with blue cheese, take two fights of steps, and try to eat three or four less bites at a meal, until it comes naturally.

Here are some excellent links to help with ideas on each. (From Healthfinder.gov) http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/health-conditions-and-diseases/diabetes/eat-healthy

•Eat Healthy: http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/health-conditions-anddiseases/diabetes/eat-healthy

• Get Active: http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/health-conditions-anddiseases/diabetes/get-active

• Watch Your Weight:  http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/health-conditions-anddiseases/diabetes/watch-your-weight

• Take Steps to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes: http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/health-conditions-anddiseases/diabetes/take-steps-to-prevent-type-2-diabetes