Diabetes has become one of the most common non-communicable diseases in the world posing a real problem in the 21st century.
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This silent pandemic has a significant effect on Australia and next week, National Diabetes Awareness Week, aims to make people aware that type 2 diabetes is preventable for many of those who suffer from this illness.
“Prevention of type 2 diabetes is now a reality for many – but understanding how to implement the lifestyle changes for a large number of people remains uncertain,” commented Associate Professor Shaw of Diabetes Australia.
Diabetes Australia is the national peak body providing a single, powerful collective voice for those living with this condition and is committed to turning diabetes around through awareness, prevention, management and the search for a cure.
However, all their advice can be summarised quite simply for those with type 2 diabetes in the following recommendations – eat well, keep active and manage your weight.
Eating well revolves around the consumption of lean meats, fresh fruit and vegetables – the less processed the better – and low-fat foods.
Avoid take-away foods that are usually fried and pastries and choose steaming over other cooking methods such as frying.
Eating fish about three times a week is advised as is eating high fibre foods with a low glycemic index, substituting artificial sweeteners for sugar and flavouring foods with herbs, spices, garlic, lemon juice and vinegar rather than commercially available sauces such as tomato sauce.
In regards to keeping active, park your car so that you have to walk around the shopping centre and keep your weight under control. All these recommendations are quite simple. It’s putting them into practice that is the hard part – but it’s worth a try.