By Linda S. Nikolakopoulos
November is American Diabetes Month. It is a time to raise awareness about diabetes and to take action against the increased incidence of this disease.
Diabetes is currently listed as the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States.
Recent studies estimate that if the rate of people developing diabetes continues on the current track, as many as one in three American adults will have diabetes by the year 2050.
What is diabetes and is there cause for concern?
Diabetes is a disease that involves the impairment or inability of the pancreas to produce insulin appropriately. The result is that sugar levels in the blood get too high, which can then lead to additional medical problems. There is also a risk of blood sugars getting too low in people with diabetes, which can also lead to medical issues.
When people with diabetes don’t keep their blood sugars under good control, over time, this can result in long-term medical complications. Consequences of poorly controlled diabetes include kidney disease, neuropathy, foot amputations, eye problems and even blindness. Furthermore, having a diagnosis of diabetes places individuals at an increased risk for heart disease and stroke.
These medical conditions can be devastating. The good news is that people with diabetes can do something to help prevent or, at the least, delay the onset of these consequences.
Aside from medications, a big part of the treatment for diabetes is diet. In many cases of newly diagnosed diabetes, the first line of treatment is diet alone.
Many people are able to keep their blood sugars under good control and prevent diabetes complications through what they eat and drink on a daily basis. By doing so, this avoids the need to start any new medication for the disease. If and when taking medication becomes necessary, how and what a person is eating will greatly affect the degree to which diabetes is being controlled.
The key nutrient to monitor for a person with diabetes is carbohydrate. This includes breads, cereals, crackers, pasta, rice, and, of course, sugar. This does not mean that these foods need to be eliminated from a person’s daily diet. More precisely, it is the portion of these foods that needs to be monitored. A healthy, balanced diet is what is recommended, including lean protein, vegetables, whole grains and one low in added sugars, saturated and trans fats.
While these are general guidelines, it is important to work closely with a registered dietitian to devise a meal plan that is specific and realistic for each person’s individual stages of diabetes and dietary needs.
Keep in mind that managing your diabetes properly can prevent or delay medical complications.