Fit And Well Idaho: Pre-Diabetes
Twin Falls, Idaho ( KMVT-TV / KSVT-TV ) Diet and exercise, a one two punch when it comes to preventing pre-diabetes from becoming diabetes.
In the U.S., 79 million have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, while 26 million live with diabetes.
Targeting the pre-diabetes population is crucial, and it all starts with some lifestyle changes.
"So there's a big focus on preventing progression of pre-diabetes to becoming diabetes. And the best indication to limit that progression is diet and exercise changes, so exercise being about 30 minutes a day of walking, and diet changes that would promote about 10 percent of your body's weight for weight loss," explains Janet Renaldi, nurse practitioner and certified diabetes educator.
And portion control.
Be aware of how much you're consuming, especially when eating out.
"Going to restaurants really distorts portions and makes you think that the normal size hamburger that you get at a restaurant is a portion, but it's not; it's often several portions," Renaldi points out.
Unfortunately, most insurance providers don't cover pre-diabetes or education services.
They wait until the person actually has diabetes, but obviously it's not a direction you want to take.
"Once you are told you have type two diabetes, it's like being told you have thin tread on your tires, only so many miles left on your pancreas and every day you live," Renaldi says.
A pre-diabetes education course will be held Tuesday, May 6th from 4:30 to 5:30.
The support group also starts on the 6th.
For more information, please call the Diabetes Clinic at 814-7271.
These resources are free.