Employees

Employees

Employees

Diabetes Awareness Month – Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

23rd November, 2023

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This November is Diabetes Awareness Month so we are focussing on diabetes throughout November to raise awareness.

This week will focus on preventing Type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be prevented, because unlike type 1 diabetes which can’t yet be prevented – your body is still making the hormone insulin. And it is the insulin which helps manage blood sugar levels.

Research has consistently shown that for some people, combined lifestyle interventions – including diet, physical activity and sustained weight loss – can be effective in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes by about 50%.

In some cases if you’re at risk of type 2 diabetes losing any excess weight, keeping active and eating healthily, can help your body make more insulin or use the insulin more effectively.

Know Your Risk

It’s important that everyone understands their risk of type 2 diabetes. Why not try diabetes.org.uk Know Your Risk Tool to find out if you are at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Depending on the results, you may need to get a blood test.

Type 2 diabetes is still widely misunderstood. Many people are not aware of the causes of type 2 diabetes or their risk of developing it. This is why it’s so important for people across the UK to find out.

Taking action: Reduce your Risk

Once you’ve found out your risk it’s important to know what to do next.

Here are our top tips for healthier food choices you can make, to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. You can read more about each one of these tips here

  1. Choose drinks without added sugar
  2. Choose higher fibre carbs
  3. Cut down on red and processed meat
  4. Eat plenty of fruit and veg
  5. Choose unsweetened yogurt and cheese
  6. Be sensible with alcohol
  7. Choose healthier snacks
  8. Include healthier fats in your diet
  9. Cut down on salt
  10. Getting vitamins and minerals from food instead of tablets

 

Useful Resources

For more information about diabetes, including symptoms, management, and support, please visit the following resources: