OPTIMIZE YOUR HEALTH
Preventing Diabetes

Weighing In on the Prevention of Diabetes
By Sharon Hardy, RD

Have you worried that you may be at risk for developing diabetes? Perhaps you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or insulin resistance? Are you wondering where to begin in preventing or managing diabetes? As a nutritionist specializing in the management of diabetes, I can tell you that what you eat plays a major role in preventing and delaying the progression of Type II Diabetes. Taking charge of your nutrition is one of the most important health decisions that you can make.

One of the main factors in preventing the onset of Type II Diabetes is weight management. Being overweight can keep your body from making and using insulin properly and cause high blood pressure. The results of an important study, The Diabetes Prevention Plan show that losing 5-7% of your body weight can reduce the risk of developing diabetes. That means that if you weigh 200 lbs., losing just 10 – 14 lbs. can help you avoid diabetes.

For patients who are overweight and at risk for developing diabetes it is important that they find a plan that is tailored specifically to their specific health issues, lifestyle and preferences. Working with a registered dietitian can be very beneficial in learning how to achieve weight loss goals. Many of my patients have tried fad diets. However, I really want to see people work towards sustainable, moderate weight loss. In fact, people who lose weight slowly and healthfully are more likely to keep it off and achieve longer health benefits of weight loss.

The American Diabetes Association has recently released specific nutrition guidelines regarding the prevention of diabetes. The guidelines call for a diet high in fiber and nutrient rich foods (14 grams fiber for every 1,000 calories), with whole grains making up half of all grain intake. In emphasizing the importance of weight reduction, they state that medications may be useful for some individuals if combined with lifestyle changes. The guidelines did caution against using meal replacements to lose weight, as research indicates that weight loss is only maintained as long as the meal replacements are used.

As a registered dietitian, I can show you how to maximize your nutrition and lose weight while still enjoying the things in life that you love. Making the choice to lose weight in order to prevent Type II diabetes may be the most important decision that you make in your life.

Recipe of the Month

1 can pumpkin
1 can fat-free evaporated milk
1 egg plus one egg white
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2/3 c. Splenda

Beat all ingredients until smooth. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes then at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

—November 2006

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