Stop Diabetes

Are you at risk for diabetes, have diabetes or know someone who does?  Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes and affects millions of Native Americans. Many people are unaware that they have diabetes or  pre-diabetes. Native Americans are twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than others. Some common signs and symptoms include:
•  Frequent infections
•  Blurred vision
•  Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
•  Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet
•  Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections
Often people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms. Some ways to prevent and manage diabetes is through healthy lifestyle behaviors. One question that many people with diabetes or pre-diabetes often ask is “What can I eat?” The American Diabetes Association states that you do not have to be deprived or restricted. The key factors are learning what are the “superfoods”, how much of it you can have and how often . Getting into the habit of eating a healthy diet helps you manage diabetes and prevent complications caused by diabetes. The following foods are listed on the American Diabetes Association web site as ”superfoods.” Try to incorporate as many of these foods into your daily meal plan to enhance the nutrient content of your meals. The foods listed have a low glycemic index (causes slower rise in blood glucose after eating) and provide key nutrients that are lacking in the typical western diet such as:
•  calcium
•  potassium
•  fiber
•  magnesium
•  vitamins A, C, and E .
Beans,dark green leafy vegetables, citrus fruit, sweet potatoes, berries, to-matoes, fish high in Omega-3 fatty acids, whole grains, nuts, fat-free milk and yogurt. To learn more about eating these superfoods and recipes visit diabetes.org and sign up for Wellness and Healthy Eating classes at the Little Axe Clinic. Call Sidna McKane to sign up at 405.701.7977.  Source: American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org