Six Little Friends of Food, Diet, and Diabetes

One of the challenges of living with diabetes is often the change that needs to be made with the food and drink that we consume . Your medical advisors will, no doubt, have given you some very specific advice about what kind of foods to eat and what kind of foods to avoid.


Mydiabetes.com is about providing support to patients, family members, friends, and health care professionals who travel on the diabetes journey. In this weeks blog we look at ways in which we might think about the food and the drinks that we consume. Planning in advance may support us in remaining focused on those changes recommended by our medics.


Here is a recipe for thinking about Food and Drink, Diet, and Diabetes (snack on the bits that you feel may be useful and leave the rest alone).


Ingredients: Who, What, Why Where, When, How, and the knowledge about food that you already have.



Method:


1) Think about Who you will be eating with – have you shared your diabetes story with them? Are they aware of the changes that you are making in your eating and lifestyle?



2) Plan in advance What you are going to eat – planning in advance may help you to avoid the temptation to eat foods that are not a part of your recommended intake. And when you are eating pay attention to What exactly you are eating. Take a greater awareness of the ingredients and the preparation of your food.


3) Before you start to eat ask the question Why are you eating this food at this precise moment? Is it because you are hungry or is there another reason?



4) Where are you planning to eat? If you are planning to eat out investigate the menu in advance – call the restaurant and ask them if they will prepare food to match your specific needs.



5) When do you plan to eat? Are you planning regular balanced meals? Maintaining a balance of blood sugar levels may be helped by a regular eating pattern.



6) And finally How are you eating? Are you eating fast like the way fast food outlets quickly serve up their offerings or are you starting to really enjoy the flavour of the foods that you are eating? Are you eating SLOWLY and taking time to rest and enjoy you new diet?



Expected Results:


More control and more learning about our food and drink, diet, and diabetes.

For more information please come and join us at http://www.mydiabetes.com/

What is pre-diabetes

Pre-diabetes or Pre Diabetes is a condition that usually remains undetected. It is a blood sugar disorder that can cause long term damage to the circulatory system and to the heart.

Patients with pre-diabetes are 15 times more likely to develop type II diabetes and the risk of further complications.

Am I at risk?

If you are over weight and/or your waist measurement is more than 31.5 inches for a woman or 37 inches for a man you may be at risk.

If you have raised blood pressure you may be at risk.

If you have a close relative such as a brother or sister who has type II diabetes you may be at risk

What can I do about pre-diabetes?

90% of people diagnosed with pre-diabetes are over weight and the excess fat, particularly around the waist and tummy, affects the regulation of blood sugar. Excess blood sugar leads to damage to the small blood vessels in the body.

Small lifestyle changes can make all the difference . Paying attention to your diet, eating regularly and avoiding packaged, processed or junk food would be a start. Increasing your activity levels can make a difference too. Small changes such as parking your car at the wrong end of the car park, getting our of the elevator one or two floors early and taking the stairs or taking an occasional walk have significant health benefits.

Healthy eating groups such as slimming world can offer practical advice on your diet and gentle exercise. They can also help you to keep focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Further information about pre-diabetes can be found at www.diabetes.org.uk

www.mydiabetes.com is an online support network for patients, family members, friends and healthcare professionals who travel on the diabetes journey. Membership is free and you are most welcome to join our community.