Snooze and chop more to help prevent diabetes

With November being Diabetes month, we spoke to Sheffield Beach nutritionist, Brigitte Lotriet about the ever rising lifestyle disease, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) predicted to be the seventh leading cause of death by 2030.

“It is crucial to adjust your lifestyle through a healthy diet, maintaining a good body weight, regular exercise and avoiding tobacco to reduce your risk of developing type two Diabetes especially” said Lotriet.

Five tips to help keep diabetes at bay:

1. Get tested

Get your blood sugar levels, blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked at least twice a year.

These tests are quick, painless as it is just a finger price, are readily available at clinics of pharmacies and are very reasonably priced.

2. Be carb smart

Carbohydrates are absolutely vital and for brain functioning but know your portions and learn which carbs are best to eat when.

3. Get enough snores

Lack of sleep has been proven to improve general health and reduce your risk of non-communicable diseases like Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases.

4. Chill out

Manage your stress levels! Stress elevates your blood sugar levels and is constantly associated with chronic illness. Simple, quiet moments, mediation or practicing moderate, stretch based exercises like pilates or yoga or even a 10 minute walk can all make a big difference and help you bring your nervous system back into equilibrium.

5. Freshen up your food

Increase your fresh vegetable and fruit consumption as well as your low fat protein sources like white fish, skinless chicken breasts and game meat.

Berries, flaxseed, nuts and good carbohydrates like quinoa are a great start, but consult a medical professional when looking to educate yourself on an eating plan that suits your lifestyle, culture and tastes.

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