Prevent or Manage Diabetes during Diabetes Awareness Month

Wednesday, November 01, 2023

Like it or not, November is already here! Which means leftover Halloween candy and deliciously dangerous holiday foods. While the holidays are always an exciting, special time of year, it’s a good reminder to pause and have a game plan for meals and potential healthy substitutes.

Since November officially kicks off the holiday season, we should also pause to recognize that November is Diabetes Awareness Month. According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 10 Americans have Type 2 Diabetes.

Prediabetes is less common than Type 2 and many people don’t realize they have it or are at high-risk. While the risk of a shark attack is 1 in 11.5 million, the risk of developing prediabetes is 1 in 3 adults. A blood test can let you know if you are pre-diabetic or diabetic so be sure to visit your doctor regularly. If you want to find out your risk for pre-diabetes, you can find more information here and take a 1-minute risk test.

The easiest way to prevent diabetes and prediabetes is to eat healthy and exercise. Many tend to struggle over the next few months with healthier eating choices and staying active. Remember, you can still enjoy delicious meals with healthier options throughout the winter and get in physical activity!

Check out some of these healthier fall recipes below:

• Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole
• Roasted Honeynut Squash
• Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Onions
• Diabetic Carrot Cake
• Leftover Turkey Stew
• Herb Roasted Turkey
• Cinnamon Baked Pumpkin
• Caramelized Spiced Pears

If you have diabetes, eatingwell.com can help you learn how to eat better and live healthier with recipes, meal plans and additional resources to assist with managing your diabetes.

Staying active throughout the winter can be difficult with the weather and dreary days. Here are some tips from the CDC to get in that physical activity during colder months:

• Take nature walks
• Monitor the weather and plan ahead
• Wear layers
• Workout online (TV, live Zoom or YouTube classes)
• Do chores
• Volunteer in active ways

WellSpan Health will be offering FREE sessions of the nationally recognized CDC evidence-based program called PreventT2. This program has been proven to help those with prediabetes make lifestyle changes that can cut the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by more than half.

An introduction class will be held on November 7th from 6-7 p.m. and the first class will begin on November 14th. Register for the introduction class here.

Find more information and local resources for your wellbeing at https://www.healthyadamscounty.org/resources-data/