Diabetes is a public health emergency in the USA. Statistics don’t lie. They’ve been telling us, for decades, that our sedentary lifestyles and poor food choices are creating a nation of people who are ill with this disease, in both its Type 1 and Type 2 manifestations.
Almost 30 million Americans have diabetes, with 1 and 4 people not having been diagnosed. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. 86 million Americans are pre-diabetic. Their blood sugar levels indicate that, without key lifestyle changes in activity level and diet, as many as 30% of them will develop at least Type 2 diabetes.
So, when you boil it down, 1 in 3 Americans is on the verge of becoming diabetic. The cost in terms of human health is staggering.
But you can prevent diabetes, improve your blood sugar levels if you’re pre-diabetic, or manage the disease if you already have it. With moderate, daily exercise and subtle shifts in the way you eat, you don’t have to be a statistical blip.
And that’s priceless. Here are 4 foods to prevent/manage diabetes:
1. Whole grain bread.
White bread is one of the easiest dietary fixes going, because all you need to do is switch to whole grain bread. It tastes better, provides your body with fiber and improves the stability of your blood sugar.
2. Olive oil.
A cornerstone of the famed Mediterranean diet, olive oil is an almost magical support for those seeking to prevent or manage diabetes. Boasting natural anti-inflammatory properties, it’s incredibly effective for reducing inflammation in the body, a root cause of many ailments, including diabetes. It can help you reverse insulin resistance, too.
3. Beef.
Surprised? Pleasantly, I’m sure. Beef, when eaten in moderation and when selecting leaner cuts, can be instrumental in stabilizing blood sugar levels. Protein is an important component of any diet, but the trick is to ensure that the beef you’re consuming covers only ¼ of your plate.
Sorry, those big slabs of sirloin are out! All the same, beef helps you feel satiated, while eating fewer carbohydrates (and the sugars they contain).
4. Broccoli.
Some of you are wrinkling up your noses, but you shouldn’t be. With a day’s worth of Vitamin C, broccoli is your friend. It’s also loaded with anti-oxidants which have a proven preventative effect for many ailments, including diabetes.
Loaded with chromium, broccoli is highly effective in controlling your levels of blood sugar for the long term and that’s nothing to wrinkle your nose at.
These 4 foods to prevent/manage diabetes are excellent choices and there are so many more. For those facing the possibility of developing diabetes, or who are already living with it, the way you eat can make all the difference to the way you live.
Back & Body is an award-winning pain relief clinic in Manhattan. We care about the health and wellness of our patients and believe that wellbeing is in all our hands. Eat well, friends and contact us for more information.
