How to Reduce the Risk of Diabetes randomness
For some people,
diabetes is a part of life. For others, it’s difficult to imagine living
without the threat of blood sugar problems. Regardless of your circumstances,
it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with diabetes and other
chronic diseases. The fewer risk factors you have, the better. This means
taking care of your health—not relying on someone else to care for you when you
need help—and keeping track of your dietary habits so you can access the
healthy foods that are appropriate for your genes and personal interests. In
this article, we’ll discuss the many ways you can reduce the risk of diabetes
and obesity by eating less saturated fat and added sugar, increasing your
intake of fruits and vegetables, engaging in a healthy diet plan, and trying
regular physical activity as much as possible.
What
Are Diabetes and Osteoporosis?
Diabetes is a common
condition that leads to osteoporosis. People with diabetes are at an increased
risk for developing osteoporosis due to poor blood glucose control and low bone
mineral density. This is because having diabetes leads to many other health
conditions, including poor blood glucose control and reduced quality of life.
Poor blood glucose control often leads to low levels of mineralization in the
body, which is an irreversible process. People with diabetes are at a high risk
of developing osteoporosis due to poor blood glucose control and an unhealthy
lifestyle. Unfortunately, many people with diabetes do not receive proper
treatment and still have poor blood glucose control. Poor blood glucose control
is one of the main factors leading to osteoporosis in people with diabetes.
Poor blood glucose control leads to many other health problems, including
osteoporosis.
Strict
Vegetarianism
Strict vegetarians, or
vegans, eat plant foods and reject all animal products—meat, poultry, fish,
eggs, dairy, and sometimes honey. Those who also eat dairy products are called
Lacto vegetarians. Vegetarians who eat both dairy and eggs are called Lacto-ovo
vegetarians.
People have many
reasons for becoming vegetarians. Some want to eat more healthy foods. Others
have religious or economic reasons or are concerned about animal welfare.
“Vegetarian diets are also more sustainable and environmentally sound than
diets that rely heavily on meat, poultry, and fish,” says NIH nutritionist Dr.
Susan Krebs-Smith, who monitors trends in cancer risk factors.
Most people think of
vegetarian diets as simply eating plant foods and not eating meat, poultry, and
fish. “But in fact, there are many different types of vegetarian diets,”
Krebs-Smith explains. “Some are more restrictive than others.”
Vegetarian diets tend
to have fewer calories, lower levels of saturated fat and cholesterol, and more
fiber, potassium, and vitamin C than other eating patterns. Vegetarians tend to
weigh less than meat-eaters and have lower cancer rates. “Evidence also
suggests that a vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of death from
certain heart diseases and that those who follow a vegetarian diet tend to have
lower LDL [“bad”] cholesterol levels,” says Engel.
No
Meat for Everyone
A plant-based diet,
which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, legumes, and nuts, is rich
in fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients. And people who don't eat meat —
vegetarians — generally eat fewer calories and less fat, weigh less and have a
lower risk of heart disease than nonvegetarians do.
Even reducing meat
intake has a protective effect. Research shows that people who eat red meat are
at an increased risk of death from heart disease, stroke, or diabetes.
Processed meats also increase the risk of death from these diseases. And what
you don't eat can also harm your health. Diets low in nuts, seeds, seafood,
fruits, and vegetables also increase the risk of death
If you don't like the
idea of a whole day without meat, start with a couple of meatless dinners each
week. Plan meals that feature your favorite entrees that are typically
meatless, such as lasagna, soup, or pasta salad. Or try substituting the
following protein-rich foods for meat in your favorite recipes:
· Beans and legumes —
great in casseroles and salads
· Vegetarian refried
beans — a good substitute for meat in burritos and tacos
· Tofu — a perfect
addition to stir-fry dishes
When your meals
include meat, don't overindulge. Choose lean cuts and avoid oversized portions.
A serving of protein should be no more than 3 ounces (85 grams) — or about the
size of a deck of cards — and should take up no more than one-fourth of your
plate. Vegetables and fruits should cover half your plate. Whole grains make up
the rest.
Stay
away from those artificial sweeteners
Are you turning to
artificial sweeteners or other sugar substitutes to lose weight? Although these
sweeteners may help obese individuals reduce and cut calories, they may also
have negative health effects, a study warns.
Artificial sweeteners
are not digested by the body. However, a recent study suggests that bacteria in
the gut may be able to break down artificial sweeteners, resulting in negative
health effects.
Currently, many new
sugar substitutes are used in foods and beverages and are marketed as
‘sugar-free’ or ‘diet’ including soft drinks, chewing gum, jellies, baked
goods, candy, fruit juice, ice cream, and yogurt.
Artificial sweeteners
are the darlings of the food industry, enabling food manufacturers to label
items as “zero-calorie” and “sugar-free”, found in everything from diet sodas
to chewing gum and granola bars. Artificial sweeteners are one of the most
commonly used additives in processed foods, offering a solution to individuals
trying to lose weight or a way to satisfy a sweet tooth, but at what cost? It
turns out artificial sweeteners are too good to be true and the cons far
outweigh the pros, it’s important to understand why you should do your best to
avoid artificial sweeteners.
Artificial sweeteners
are unlikely to increase your risk of metabolic syndrome. Replacing sugary
drinks with artificially sweetened ones might decrease your risk of several
medical conditions.
Artificial sweeteners
may disrupt the balance of gut bacteria in some people, which could increase
the risk of disease. However, more studies are needed to confirm this effect.
Eat
Fresh Every Day
It simply involves
choosing minimally processed, real foods that provide
maximal nutritional benefits.
The idea is to consume
foods that are as close to their natural state as possible.
Additionally, eating
foods that are grown more environmentally conscious is a part of the concept of
clean eating.
However, when making
decisions about food, nutrition, and health, try focusing primarily on what’s
practical and doable for you.
Also, it may be easier
to start by doing one small thing at a time, which can be less overwhelming.
Eating a nutrient-rich
diet involves choosing foods that are minimally processed and rich in naturally
occurring nutrients.
Try a Varietyof Foods
The idea is that
choosing a mix of foods from within each food group, such as veggies, meat, and
grains, helps provide a range of essential nutrients and may help prevent certain health conditions,
such as heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and cancer.
The truth is that
there are pros and cons associated with a varied diet.
The majority of people
will benefit from obtaining a mix of macros by eating balanced meals that include
different food groups—such as meats, dairy, vegetables, grains, fruits, nuts,
and beans. Meals that include a combination of all macros tend to be most
satisfying and keep you fuller for longer, which means you may be less likely
to overeat at your next meal.
Including a variety of
fruits and vegetables in your diet is one of the best ways to obtain the
antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals you need. While you shouldn’t feel obliged
to love every single type—for example, maybe kale just
isn’t your thing—the more diversity the better.
That’s because each
food offers a unique blend of nutrients, especially beneficial antioxidants and
phytonutrients that are only found in plant foods. Even different types of
foods from within the same food group—such as leafy greens, berries, or
meats—provide a somewhat different mix of nutrients. Switching things up is a
good way to ensure you’re covering all your bases.
For example, having
limited choices can make meal prep easier and reduce your risk of overeating.
However, eating the same meals on repeat also can increase the chances you’ll
develop a nutrient deficiency and make a healthy diet seem unappealing long
term.