Did you know that you can prevent or reverse prediabetes?
Think of prediabetes as an early warning sign. If you have prediabetes, that means it’s time to take action! Prediabetes means a person has higher than normal blood sugar levels, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.
Prediabetes is a serious condition because it can lead to developing type 2 diabetes and increases the risk for other health problems like heart disease and stroke. Find out what you can do today to prevent or reverse prediabetes.
Step 1: Take the risk test to find out if you may have prediabetes
First, it’s important to know where you stand. 1 in 3 American adults (96 million) have prediabetes but more than 80% of them don’t know they have it.
The reason for this is that prediabetes often doesn’t have any symptoms, so it often goes unnoticed. One of the most important things you can do for your health is to take this easy and free 1-minute prediabetes risk test.
If you discover that you likely have prediabetes, don’t panic! There are plenty of steps you can take to reverse prediabetes now. Talk to your doctor to confirm your results and make a plan.
For additional support, the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) provides a lifestyle change program. You’ll get a full year of support and learn how to eat healthy, add physical activity to your routine, manage stress, stay motivated, and solve problems that can get in the way of your goals. Some insurance plans cover this program, and some programs are free to participate.
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Step 2: Add extra vegetables or fruits
It’s no secret that eating a balanced diet is a big part of a healthy lifestyle. Veggies and fruits add vitamins, minerals and fiber to your meals, and they’re low in calories and fat. Canned options usually have added salt or sugar, but fresh or frozen fruits and veggies are both great additions to your eating habits.
Food is personal, and it can be overwhelming to think about too many changes to your food habits at once, so start with just something you could do today.
Many people find it helpful to focus on what they’re adding into their diet, not what they’re