“Take charge of tomorrow.”
That’s the theme of Diabetes Awareness Month, and Newman Regional Health registered dietician Wilma Malone says it’s a good approach to take with the disease.
More than 37 million Americans have diabetes, or close to 10 percent of the overall population. By 2050, there could be a third of the American population with diabetes.
With a lot of food to be consumed this week because of Thanksgiving, Malone says combating diabetes starts with the eating plan — not the dreaded “diet” word.
Sweets and portion sizes need to be front and center.
Malone also promoted the use of healthy fats, lean proteins and a special plating method for foods — one-quarter of the plate reserved for meat, one-quarter for grains and the rest for non-starchy vegetables. Fruit or milk is optional, but people should drink lots of water.
There is some confusion about diabetes in its different forms:
*Type 1 is where the body stops producing insulin, the pancreatic hormone that lets the body use blood sugar as energy. Symptoms include rapid weight loss as well as increases in thirst, urination, hunger and weakness. Insulin shots are needed with Type 1.
*Type 2 is where the body produces insulin, but the glucose doesn’t get into cells as efficiently as it would under normal circumstances. This causes elevated sugar levels.
*Gestational diabetes happens during pregnancy when hormones don’t let the body use insulin effectively. This increases the risk for non-gestational diabetes later in life.
*Pre-diabetes is when the body develops insulin resistance
Diabetes leads to several complications, including nerve damage, increased risk of heart disease and damage to kidneys, eyes and gums.
If you have questions about diabetes, call Malone at 620-343-6800 ext. 21803.
