Type 2 Diabetes Management

How Can I Lower My Risk of Diabetes with Type 2 Diabetes Management?

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Lu Young RN

Diabetes can be prevented in many cases even if you have a family history of diabetes.  How can I lower my risk of diabetes with type 2 diabetes management?  Here is how.

Poor diet? Lack of exercise? Expanding waistline? You could already be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and not even know it.

Limit your risk

Simply making a few small lifestyle changes can really cut your diabetes risk. If you do lead an unhealthy lifestyle, it’s worth getting a blood glucose test. There will be free tests available throughout November.

Eat healthily

Avoid food that is high in calories, fat, sugar, or carbohydrates. Low GI-carbs (like sweet potatoes) release glucose slowly and help to even out blood sugar levels so include lots of fibre, wholegrains, pulses and oats in your diet.

Get label savvy

Educate yourself on ‘hidden sugars’ and look for them when shopping. Glucose, glucose syrup, corn syrup, dextrose, maltose, treacle and golden syrup are all sugars by a different name, so be aware.

Start exercising

Begin exercise gently with just a brisk walk every day, and increase the distance daily until you feel your fitness levels rising. Consider joining one of Dubai’s many classes for extra motivation. Encourage your kids to join sports teams and exercise with them.

Give up smoking

Smokers are over 50 per cent more likely to develop diabetes than non-smokers. Make it your priority to quit for good.

Monitor your weight

Keep track of your weight to make sure you maintain a healthy BMI (Body Mass Index).

Hidden sugars

To prevent type 2 diabetes, experts recommend cutting sugar from your diet wherever possible. You may be surprised by how many teaspoons of the sweet stuff are in food and drinks you actually thought were healthy.

The World Health Organisation recommends we eat no more than 12 teaspoons of sugar per day (1 teaspoon equals 1 sugar cube).

View the source on type 2 diabetes management

So, how can I lower my risk of diabetes with type 2 diabetes management?  This has a three part answer.

The first is exercise.  You don’t have to become a marathon runner to get the positive effects of exercise.  Just 150 minutes a week will cut your risk of diabetes by 10%.

The second is diet and nutrition.  Eat more non-starchy vegetables and fruits.  Cut back on meat and fat.

The third is medication management.  Take all medications as prescribed.

If you follow these three tips, you can cut your risk of diabetes of 58%.