7 Simple Tips for Preventing Diabetes

Approximately 29.1 million people are living with diabetes in the United States alone and 1.7 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed every single year.

Diabetes is a health condition that causes your blood glucose or blood sugar levels to become too high. Although many are fully aware of the condition, most people take very little precaution in reducing their risk of developing diabetes. Here are 7 simple tips to prevent diabetes.

1.  Get Moving

Get moving! The best way to prevent diabetes is with physical activity including walking, swimming, stretching, and even strength training exercises. According to the American Diabetes Association, physical activity lowers your risk for prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Photo Credit: monkeybusinessimages (iStock).

2. Ease Stress Levels

Take steps to recognize and control your stress levels to avoid the risk of diabetes. In a recent study, scientist discovered most people’s glucose levels increased with mental stress, putting those at higher risk for diabetes.  At the end of the day, it’s important to manage your stress levels for promoting good health, not just for diabetes.

Photo Credit: Solovyova (iStock).

3. Drink More Water

Staying well-hydrated lowers blood sugar levels naturally and in return helps prevent the risk of developing diabetes. A recent study showed that those who drink water regularly had a significantly lower risk of developing high blood sugar levels.

4. Follow The Mediterranean Diet

Eating the right foods is key to preventing diabetes. A diet like the Mediterranean one consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, red meats, olive oil, and nuts, which is vital to support balanced blood sugar levels. In fact, a study recently proved that people who eat the Mediterranean diet on a regular basis can actually reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes by 83%.

Photo Credit: Ella Olsson (Flickr).

5. Brush Your Teeth

What does brushing your teeth have to do with prediabetes and diabetes? Good oral health meaning brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day prevents diabetes problems. In addition to brushing your teeth, make sure to schedule regular dental cleanings and check-ups.

6. Stay In Shape

Staying fit and maintaining a healthy weight is key to balancing out blood sugar levels. Start working out regularly and hit the gym to lower your risk of developing diabetes. For top tips on how to lose weight and start seeing results faster, click here.

Photo Credit: gradyreese (iStock.)

7. Measure Your Blood Sugar Levels

Schedule a visit to your doctor’s office to evaluate your blood sugar levels. A good rule of thumb is to test your blood sugar levels every 3 years at the start of age 45 or annually if you are at higher risk for diabetes.  If you find that your status is too high, you can make adjustments to your diet and take medications to decrease your sugar levels.