By Community Servings Staff:
Did you know that nearly one out of every three people in America has prediabetes,
and one in ten adults worldwide is living with diabetes?
The good news is that diabetes is a manageable disease, and for many at risk, it can be prevented or delayed. So what is diabetes?
There are several forms of diabetes, the most common being Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes typically develops in adulthood and is characterized by the body’s inability to properly use insulin – the hormone needed for cells to absorb blood sugar. As a result, people with diabetes may need to follow specific nutrition guidelines, increase their activity level, and take medications to keep their blood sugar levels healthy.
If you do not have diabetes, the first step to prevention is to know your risks. Several things can put you at risk for developing the disease, including age, gender, family history, etc. By taking a quick one-minute online test, you can self-screen to understand your risk factors.
If you are at risk, the best ways to prevent the onset of diabetes are to follow these two guidelines: 1) reach a healthy body weight. For most people, losing about 7% of their body weight (usually about 10-15 pounds) is enough to improve their metabolism to delay the onset of diabetes. 2) be physically active for two and a half hours out of the week. For example, by walking about 20 minutes a day, you can quickly achieve the recommended activity level.
Similarly, people living with diabetes can manage their blood sugar levels with a regular physical activity routine and an eating pattern consistent with carbohydrates (or starches and sugars). Like those prepared at Community Servings, Medically Tailored Meals keep starches and sugars at a healthy level for people with diabetes. Dennis, a CS client living with diabetes, shares how medically tailored meals helped him to manage his diabetes and provide for his three-year-old son Liam:
“Since receiving the meals from Community Servings, my blood sugar levels are much more consistent. It was hard for me to ask for help getting my health on track, but now that I did, I feel so much better and have more energy to do things with Liam.”
During American Diabetes Month this November, diabetes doesn’t have to be a burden. If you don’t have diabetes, take a minute to learn your risks. And if you do have diabetes, know the available resources in your community so that you don’t have to manage your diabetes alone!
