Being diagnosed with Diabetes can initially be a frightening feeling. Educating yourself in the early stages as well as along your journey is key to living a healthy long life. With proper lifestyle changes and self-care there is no reason to worry! You can work your favorite foods into a diabetic friendly eating plan and can also live symptom free with the proper steps. Fear no more!
According to the American Diabetes Association, in 2015, 30.3 million Americans, or 9.4% of the population had diabetes. Of the 30.3 million adults with diabetes, 23.1 million were diagnosed, and 7.2 million were undiagnosed. A staggering 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. And when it comes to Prediabetes, 84.1 million Americans age 18 and older had prediabetes. You are not alone!
Food for thought: Americans spent a total of $245 billion dollars treating diabetes in 2012. The more your diabetes is controlled the less money you will spend and the more you can live a symptom free life. Taking control of your health now is the best investment you can make for yourself in the future. Early detection and prompt treatment is key to avoiding complications however it is never too late to get started. A quote I absolutely love as its truth speaks loudly, “There is no greater wealth than your health.”
How do I know if I have Diabetes or Prediabetes? It is of the upmost importance to have your lab work completed with your doctor. The Cleveland Clinic recommends adults over the age of 45 to have fasting plasma glucose screening at least once every three years. However, if you are overweight and have a family history of diabetes no matter your age, speak with your doctor. Remember prevention is key!
I have Diabetes, now what? Your relationship with your doctor is of upmost importance. Gain recommendations and advice from your doctor and take this information seriously. Following your doctor’s advice along with having a solid nutrition and exercise plan will become a large part of your success. There is a wealth of information on where and how to get started, one of my favorites with evidence based research, recipes and tips is diabetes.org. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, don’t do it alone. Gain support and create a step-by-step action plan. Stay tuned as I will soon share my top five recommendations when it comes to nutrition and diabetes!
What are some of the first action steps you took when initially diagnosed with diabetes? Comment below I’d love to hear from you! Let’s share our knowledge and help each other.
