American Diabetes Association Alert Day

American Diabetes Association Alert Day

American Diabetes Association Alert Day will be held on March 27, 2018. This day is dedicated to raising awareness for type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association is asking everyone to take the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test to learn if they are at risk for type 2 diabetes and how they can take action to prevent it. The free, anonymous risk test only takes a minute to complete. By answering questions such as “Do you have a family history of diabetes?” and “Are you physically active?” you can learn if you’re at risk for type 2 diabetes in 60 seconds.

Tips to Help Reduce Your Risk

American Diabetes Association Alert Day is a great way to help people better understand the risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as highlight the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Below are some tips from Mayo Clinic to help reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

1. Engage in regular physical activity. Research shows that exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight, lowers blood sugar levels, and boosts your sensitivity to insulin — which helps keep your blood sugar within a normal range. For the best results, Mayo Clinic encourages both aerobic exercise and resistance training.
2. Eat plenty of fiber. Fiber helps reduce your risk of diabetes by improving your blood sugar control. It also helps lower your risk of heart disease and promotes healthy weight loss by helping you feel full longer. Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, and nuts.
3. Choose whole grains over refined grains. Whole grains are rich in vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and fiber. When buying packaged whole grains, read the label to ensure the first ingredient is whole grains and avoid products with added sugar.
4. Avoid fad diets. These type of diets often restrict or exclude certain food groups which could cause you to give up essential nutrients, which could adversely affect your overall health. Instead, focus on staying active and making smart, nutritious food choices.

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