This month we’re discussing nutrition and chronic diseases. Last week we talked about blood pressure- have you gotten yours checked yet? Today we’re discussing diabetes and how we can use nutrition to control and prevent it. Diabetes has multiple forms (Type 1, Type 2, gestational), but in all forms of diabetes, the body's ability to make or properly use insulin is affected. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells store and use energy from food. If you have diabetes, since your insulin isn't being produced or used as it should, glucose doesn’t get transported properly. This prevents your body from getting the energy it needs and leaves high levels of glucose circulating through the body, damaging cells along the way.
Thirty million Americans have diabetes and unfortunately, even more people are unaware that they are at high risk for developing prediabetes or progressing to Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is what we will focus on, since it can be controlled or prevented through lifestyle changes.
If you’ve been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you may feel you are confined to a life of insulin injections or eating an overly constricted diet. But that’s not true! You can use good nutrition to manage your diabetes and that doesn’t mean avoiding carbs for the rest of your life! You can still enjoy good food while keeping your blood sugar under control. Making sure to pair your carbohydrates with protein is key. Are you living with diabetes? Are you at high risk? If you’re not sure, let’s get proactive about your health. Diabetes increases the risk of having a heart attack or stroke and may lead to kidney, eye and nerve damage. Let’s make sure that you know where you stand and that you have the tools to live a healthy, enjoyable life. Call or message me today: 540-599-9378 #wellnesswednesday #eattonourish #cooknutrition #nrvnutrition #gilesgetshealthy #registereddietitian #emilyexplainsnutrition #health #healthyeating #healthyliving #nutrition #preventativehealthcare #type2diabetes