American Diabetes Month
November is American Diabetes Month, a time to raise awareness about diabetes and join together in the work for a cure. Diabetes is one of the fastest growing chronic diseases in the world. Nearly one in two Americans has diabetes or prediabetes.
1 in 2 Americans has diabetes or prediabetes. 1 in 285 American children has diabetes. 1 in 3 American seniors has diabetes.
Every 26 seconds someone in the United States is diagnosed with diabetes.
Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar levels due to the body’s inability to produce or effectively use insulin. There are several types of diabetes. The most common forms include: Prediabetes, Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and Gestational diabetes.
In the fight to end diabetes, it all matters. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, have had type 1 or type 2 diabetes for a while or you’re helping a loved one, arm yourself with the services and resources that can make a real difference in the lives of those living with diabetes.
SWLA Center for Health Services is here to help you live and thrive with diabetes. Our Primary Care Providers and Registered Dietitian play a crucial role in managing diabetes through blood sugar monitoring, prescribing oral diabetes medications & insulin and creating healthy diet & exercise plans. Our goal is to remind patients that they can live a healthy life with diabetes. The key to a better prognosis is lifestyle changes, regular exercise, dietary changes and regular blood sugar monitoring.
Schedule an appointment with one of our Primary Care Providers, TODAY!
How Diabetes Can Affect Your Body!
DIABETES Q & A
Diabetes can be confusing, but we are committed to helping you understand the facts about diabetes. The following questions will help clear up diabetes myths you may have heard.
Q: If you’re overweight, will you always develop type 2 diabetes?
A: Being overweight is a risk factor for developing diabetes, but other risk factors such as how much physical activity you get, family history, ethnicity, and age also play a role. Unfortunately, many people think that weight is the only risk factor for type 2 diabetes, but many people with type 2 diabetes are at a normal weight or only moderately overweight.
Q: Do sugary drinks cause diabetes?
A: Research has also shown that drinking sugary drinks is linked to type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people avoid drinking sugar-sweetened beverages and switch to water whenever possible to help prevent type 2 diabetes.
Sugary drinks also raise blood glucose (blood sugar) and can provide several hundred calories in just one serving. Just one 12-ounce can of regular soda has about 150 calories and 40 grams of sugar, a type of carbohydrate (carb). This is the same as 10 teaspoons of sugar.
Sugar-sweetened beverages include beverages like:
Regular soda
Fruit punch
Fruit drinks
Energy drinks
Sports drinks
Sweet tea
Sweetened coffee drinks
Other sugary drinks
Q: Is diabetes a serious disease?
A: Yes. Diabetes causes more deaths per year than breast cancer and AIDS combined and having diabetes nearly doubles your chance of having a heart attack. The good news is that managing your diabetes can reduce your risk for diabetes complications.
Q: Do people with diabetes need to eat special foods?
A: No, you don’t need special food. A healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is generally the same as healthy eating for anyone. In fact, there are a lot of different eating plans that can help you manage your diabetes. In general, a healthy eating plan for diabetes will include lots of non-starchy vegetables, limit added sugars, swap refined grains for whole grains and prioritize whole foods over highly processed foods when possible.
Want to add more veggies and whole foods, but don’t know where to start? Try Diabetes Food Hub®!
Q: If you have diabetes, can you eat starchy foods, such as bread, potatoes, and pasta?
A: Starchy foods can be part of a healthy meal plan, but portion size is key. These foods tend to have more carbs and eating them will raise your blood glucose.
Q: Do people with diabetes need to avoid carbs?
A: There is no evidence to suggest that people with diabetes need to avoid carbs, though some people choose eating plans that avoid them. In fact, the evidence suggests that including the right amounts of carbs, protein, and fat can help manage your blood glucose. Working with your health care team can help you find the right balance for you.
Q: Not sure where to start…?
A: Aim for a portion no bigger than a quarter of a 9-inch plate.
