Preventing Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious disease that has serious consequences if it is not treated properly. Many people are predisposed to developing diabetes, and there are steps that you can take to either prevent it altogether or, at the very least, to postpone it.

The first step to diabetes prevention is to watch your weight. People who are overweight are at a much higher risk of developing diabetes. In fact, when you become overweight, you have a 70 percent chance of developing diabetes. That is a staggering number.

The majority of people who are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are overweight. Eat a diet that is high in protein, and low in carbohydrates and sugar. Also make sure that you are getting plenty of exercise each day. It is recommended that you exercise for 30 minutes each day, five days a week. This can be as simple as taking a walk each day. Exercise does not have to be tedious.

Try to keep stress at a minimum. Stress will often cause you to overeat. Learn to use breathing techniques that reduce stress, and also note that exercise relieves stress as well. You should also stop smoking, and make sure that you are drinking plenty of water.

Keep track of what you eat and drink, and of the amount of exercise that you are getting. Often, we really are not aware of how much we eat and drink, and how little we exercise, until we see it in black and white. There are many worksheets that you can download from the Internet to help you keep track, as well as online dieting services that will track this information for you on the Internet.

Overall, controlling your weight is the key to controlling your blood sugar levels and preventing diabetes. However, if there is a history of diabetes in your family, you may not be able to prevent developing it. Even if you are not diabetic, it is a good idea to purchase a glucose meter with testing sticks, and check your blood sugar from time to time. If it is too high, or too low, visit your doctor for additional testing as soon as possible.