Diabetes, overweight and obesity are all major health concerns in America today, affecting millions of people across the country and across the globe, too. Although improvements to health education and medicine have been made, however, there’s still much more that needs to be done to help the growing number of people who are diagnosed with diabetes, overweight and obesity every day.
A Closer Look at Diabetes and Obesity
Did you know…?
Diabetes is a metabolic disease where the body can’t produce any (or enough) insulin, or when the body is unable to use insulin that was produced. This leads to elevated blood glucose levels which can cause long-term health issues such as heart disease, kidney damage or eye problems, for example.
- 29.1 million people are affected by diabetes (according to a 2014 report from the Center for Disease Control), but this doesn’t include people who have yet to be diagnosed.
Obesity is also a disease where excess fat is stored in the body that may cause bodily stress, and it can lead to additional health problems such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and others.
- 35.7 percent of the American adult population is considered affected by obesity, and 68.8 percent is considered “overweight” or affected by obesity (National Institutes of Health).
As you can see, overweight, diabetes and obesity often go hand-in-hand, so it’s important to understand what types of behaviors and factors you can control that may have a positive impact on your health.
What Nutrition Factors Are Affecting Your Health?
Fortunately, simple changes that you make to your lifestyle have the ability to do wonders for your health – especially regarding nutrition. In fact, simply eating in rather than out at restaurants is one surprisingly great way to improve your nutrition habits while lowering your weight and boosting your overall health. Here’s why:
- Healthier Portion Sizes – Restaurants are notorious for serving portion sizes that are a lot larger than necessary. By eating at home, you can practice more mindful eating through portion sizes that YOU determine.
- Not as Many “Extras” – When you eat out, you often get more than the meal – you’re getting the chips, bread, drinks, etc. that go with the meal. Eating in allows you to be more conscious of what you’re preparing and consuming, thus saving you the extra calories.
- Lower Levels of Carbohydrates – Larger portion sizes usually mean more carbohydrates and sugar, which can increase your weight and blood sugar levels.
Tips for Managing Weight and Diabetes with Nutrition
It goes without saying that eating in can have very positive effects on your weight and health, but for many people, doing so consistently can be challenging. Busy schedules, energy levels and numerous responsibilities can impact where we eat and what we eat, so here are some tips to help you get started:
- Involve your family – Invite your family to brainstorm new meal ideas and to prepare food with you.
- Stock Up – Stock up on staples – including frozen fruits and veggies, beans and canned goods.
- Plan Ahead – Make a menu for the week (or at least a couple of days) ahead of time, and buy necessary ingredients and foods ahead of time as well.
- Plan for Leftovers – Make enough food to have for leftovers later on, and then freeze it for a day you’re low on time.
- Don’t Strive for Perfection – You don’t have to be the “perfect” eater. Allow yourself to indulge or eat out every once in a while, because the key is moderation.
Want More Information about Nutrition, Weight and Diabetes?
You can view the complete article from Your Weight Matters Magazine by CLICKING HERE.
