Saturday, November 8, 2008

Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

  1. Make sure you get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. For example walking around your neighborhood each day is a good idea. The key is to use large muscle groups. You could also try going to the gym a couple of times a week.
  2. Make sure you eat a balanced diet. Eat a little from each food group, and not too much of the bad stuff - like sugar, salt and fat.
  3. Watch the amount of sugar or carbohydrates you put into your body. Like instead of drinking a regular soda, drink water. Diet soda is often considered a good alternative, but the best is water. unfortunately, most foods labeled as "sugar free" or "low-carb" actually contain artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols, and other additives that create a hormonal mess inside your body, actually stimulating your body to STORE more fat and stimulate cravings! And foods labeled "whole grain" only have to contain a small fraction of whole grains where the majority can still be refined starches and sugars that spike your blood sugar faster than a sugar-laden soda! A common mistake is believing that preventing diabetes means not eating any sugar. The truth of the matter is that you have to eat the right amount. People with diabetes have to take care that they don't eat too much or too little sugar. A good rule is based on the understanding that everything we eat turns to "a blood sugar;" therefore, choose foods that will take some time to convert. for example, sugar takes no time to convert to sugar, where protein takes more time. the key is balance in your diet.
  4. Drink plenty of water, because your body needs water. Water is better than any other drink if you need to keep hydrated. Water also fills you up so your desire to eat decreases.
  5. Maintaining a healthy weight is also very important. Of course eating well and exercising will help do that.

No comments: