I eat like a horse. At least, I did in high school. This is normal for a growing boy. We inhale everything around us, run outside, grow another foot taller, then come back in and start eating again.
The problem was when I figured out that I was no longer in high school, but still eating like a horse. I think this happens to most guys. You look around one day while you’re sitting at your desk job, and you think about the last time you ran a mile, and realize there have been at least two presidents sworn in since then. So you put down your meatball sub, and you resignedly pull out the baby carrots.
It can be easy to put your own health off. There’s always something more important, right? Unfortunately, putting off your health can lead to heart problems, obesity, fatigue and diabetes.
Luckily, Type II diabetes is one of those problems that can be fought back. By combining the counsel of trained doctors, like those at Brigham City Community Hospital in Box Elder County, with personal willpower, diabetes can be rendered virtually toothless.
Here are a few tips for diabetes prevention from the medical editorial staff of the Mayo Clinic:
- Get more physical activity. This doesn’t mean you have to train for the decathlon, but it does mean taking the stairs and walking as often as you can. Being more active can lead to weight loss, lower blood sugar, and higher sensitivity to insulin, which keeps your blood sugar controlled.
- Get plenty of fiber. Found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, grains and seeds, they promote weight loss by helping you feel full (this is for all those former teenagers, like me).
- Go for whole grains. Whole grains have also been linked to better blood sugar control, and are more nutritious.
- Lose extra weight. I know, I know. The obvious one. But it’s the most obvious because it’s the most effective. When your body is at its natural weight for its height, it’s automatically healthier, which reduces the risk of problems like sleep apnea, another risk factor for diabetes.
- Skip fad diets and make healthier choices. There’s always going to be something new, something easy, and something that lets you maintain your bad habits while still losing weight. These are very rarely healthy alternatives, and the most surefire way to prevent or control diabetes is to exercise and eat right. That’s it, folks.
If you’re at risk for diabetes, or are worried you may already have it, get in touch with one of our trained doctors who specialize in the treatment and prevention of Type I and Type II diabetes, and they’ll get you set on the right path.