E-mails to Christine (GlucoMenu® Nutrition Director)
Christine is a Registered Dietitian & Certified Diabetes Educator
E-mail your questions to Christine at: nutrition@GlucoMenu.com
Q. I'm having trouble with the near absence of specificity in all of the literature I'm reading about adult onset and diabetes in general. Everywhere I look
I see recommendations for "lifestyle changes" and "low fat, reduced calorie" dieting. This seems like a one-size-fits all prescription for any complaint. It almost feels like
no one speaking or writing about diabetes wants to be pinned down about the specifics. It is a sweeping set of generalities I hear again and again.
Where do I go to find out exactly what those lifestyle changes should be and what foods, amounts, etc are best to prevent the onset of Type 2.
A. Diabetes care is specific to each individual which is probably why you are finding more general guidelines than specifics.
The best recommendations you can get are from your healthcare team because they are familiar with your specific health needs.
In short, the American Diabetes Association and National Institutes of Health indicate maintaining a healthy body weight,
regular exercise, following a healthy diet, and staying in contact with your doctor seem to be the best approach in reducing risk for diabetes.
More specifically, the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) has recently found that those with Pre-Diabetes can make simple lifestyle changes to reduce risk
for diabetes later in life. The DPP found that subjects with Pre-Diabetes experienced a 58% reduction of risk for Type 2 diabetes when they:
- lost a modest amount of weight (5-7% of their body weight),
- exercised at moderate intensity for an average of 30 minutes a day, five days per week (most chose to walk for exercise), and
- lowered their intake of fat and calories.
Those following the lifestyle changes were able to reduce their risk even more so than those taking medications to lower blood sugar.
These preventative measures can "turn back the clock" and return elevated blood sugar to normal levels.
Christine Carlson, MS, RD, BC-ADM, CDE
GlucoMenu® Nutrition Director
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Christine Carlson, Registered Dietitian &
Certified Diabetes Educator
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My doctor is very impressed & my sugar is coming under control
