YOU Docs Daily
How to Prevent Diabetes -- Even if You Can't Lose Weight or Have Pre-Diabetes
Let's say you’re overweight -- enough so that you're as nervous about type 2 diabetes as a roomful of freshmen when the math teacher says, "Pop quiz!" Maybe you've tried to diet but can't lose weight, or you’re dieting now but have yet to shed pounds. Maybe you've even been told you have pre-diabetes. Should you just curl up with a doughnut and wait for the big D to arrive? No way.
Think of us YOU Docs as Batman and Robin, swooping in (POW!) with an emergency plan to shield you from diabetes until the weight comes off. Here's the plan: Besides maintaining a healthy weight, four factors keep diabetes at bay. New research has found that if you combine any three of 'em, it's like throwing up a force shield between you and diabetes. The combo is more protective than the individual parts, a new fact that's startled even the experts.
It gets better: If you combine all four, you'll start losing weight without half trying! What are the four steps? We thought you'd never ask (and we bet you've half-guessed).
- Walk 30 minutes a day. Start slowly if you need to, but start. Buy a pedometer, and add a few more steps every day.
- Drink lightly. Consume no more than two drinks a day for men, one for women.
- Eat smart. Enjoy lots of fruits and veggies, plenty of 100% whole grains, very lean protein (a protein-filled breakfast can help curb appetite later), a little low-fat or no-fat dairy, some nuts, and a bit of dark chocolate.
- Don’t smoke. If you do, use our YOU Can Quit plan. It's free, and proven to work.
Then, kiss diabetes goodbye. BAM!
