November is National Diabetes Month and the key to battling diabetes is prevention. The Amputee Coalition is dedicated to those who live with diabetes, and we have committed to providing information to our community. 60 percent of non-traumatic amputations in the United States are a result of complications of those living with diabetes. The Amputee Coalition is committed to providing updated information on ways to prevent amputation and has many online sources for those people living with diabetes. and work tirelessly to keep these sources updated. You can access these resources at the link below for information, but we have also outlined, and read on for some helpful tips to prevent diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is genetic and shows up early in life, and there is no known way to prevent it. Type 2 diabetes, unlike Type 1, is based on lifestyle choices and can be prevented. Type 2 diabetes is a serious and chronic health condition that many times leads to other serious health issues such as blindness, stroke, or heart disease. Making healthy life changes, which include eating healthy and physical activity can help delay or even prevent type two diabetes.
Think About How You …
Eat-in a Typical Week
- Do other people, such as friends, family, or coworkers, influence what you eat?
- Do you prepare your meals ahead of time, or decide at the moment what to eat?
- How comfortable are you with reading a nutrition label?
- How often do you eat out and where?
- What makes it easier for you to eat healthier? What makes it harder?
Move-in a Typical Week
- How much of your commute is spent walking or biking?
- How much time do you make for physical activity around the house, such as walking the dog, cleaning the house, or gardening?
- How often do you dedicate 30 minutes per day for physical activity, such as walking, biking, or swimming?
- What are your favorite ways to be active?
- What makes it easier or more enjoyable for you to move more? What makes it harder?
Choose these foods and drinks less often:
- Processed foods such as packaged snacks, packaged meat, chips, granola bars, sweets, and fast foods
- Trans fat, found in things such as margarine, snack food, packaged baked goods, and many fried foods
- Sugary drinks such as fruit juice, sports drinks, and soda
- Alcohol
Choose these foods and drinks more often:
- Non-starchy vegetables such as peppers, mushrooms, asparagus, broccoli, and spinach
- Fruits
- Lean protein such as fish, chicken, turkey, tofu, eggs, and yogurt
- Whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice, and steel-cut oatmeal
Online Sources from Amputee Coalition
- Online Support for People with Diabetes – Amputee Coalition (amputee-coalition.org)
- https://www.amputee-coalition.org/resources/amputee-coalition-webinars/preventing-secondary-limb-loss/
- https://www.amputee-coalition.org/resources/race-ethnic-disparity-limb-loss/
Prevention is key for so visit seeing your doctor regularly is also key. Share your concerns about diabetes prevention with your doctor. He or she will appreciate your efforts to prevent diabetes and may offer additional suggestions based on your medical history or other factors.