Six tips to prevent Type 2 diabetes

It is National Diabetes week from Sunday until Saturday, June 17, and this year the theme is ‘Know Diabetes Fight Diabetes’.

There are currently 4.5million people in the UK living with the condition, and 11.9million more at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

I’m hoping that people will use the week to start to make lifestyle changes they need to prevent becoming one of those statistics.

Around 90 per cent of people with diabetes have Type 2. It can be hard to reverse and manage, but it is possible to prevent through making some lifestyle change.

Whether you already have Type 2 diabetes or are at risk through being overweight, you to understand how you can prevent developing it and all the health issues that come with the condition.

Here are my six tips to prevent Type 2 Diabetes:

Excess body fat, especially around the belly, can increase the body’s resistance to insulin and this can lead to Type 2 diabetes.

Around six to 10 hours of physical activity through the week helps manage weight, speed up your metabolism, reduce blood glucose levels and may also improve blood pressure and cholesterol.

Sugary drinks have a high glycemic load, and drinking more of this sugary stuff is associated with increased risk of diabetes. In the Nurses’ Health Study II, women who drank one or more sugar-sweetage ened beverages per day had an 83 per cent higher risk of Type 2 diabetes, compared to women who drank less than one sugar-sweetened bevertes, per month.

You may think you eat healthily but are you keeping an eye on your portion sizes too

If your portion sizes aren’t right, your weight and your blood glucose control will be harder to manage.

A good meal should consist of vegetable and protein and a small amount of good carbohydrates. Make sure your plate isn’t piled high with food.

Tobacco use can increase blood sugar levels and lead to insulin resistance. The more you smoke, the greater your risk of diabetes.

Heavy smokers – those who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day – almost double their risk of developing diabeneed when compared with nonsmokers.

Diets low in refined sugars will help you avoid Type 2 diabetes because they help you with weight loss and glucose management.

A low sugar diet will also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

I would encourage you to eat more vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, pulses, seafood and nuts. But, eat less red meat and processed meat, sugarsweetened drinks, sugarsweetened foods, and refined grains such as white bread.

If you would like more help with a low sugar diet then you can download my free 7-Day Meal Plan at www.eastcoastfitness.com