The holidays mean not only time with your family to share memories and garner more, but it is also usually accompanied by major food feasts as you gather around the table. Whatever favorite dishes you look forward to — pumpkin pie and other desserts, casseroles, breads, side dishes — being mindful during eating while consuming food and beverages at this time of year will carry you a long way to good health for the coming year. It may be cliche but the motto, Everything in Moderation, is such an important guideline as we enter the holiday season and discipline ourselves from going overboard at these feasts.
November is National Diabetes Month and it’s important to have a healthy diet, especially during the holidays, to manage Type 2 Diabetes. If you do not have it but may be on the pre-diabetes scale with identified risk factors then you will understand why this message at this time of year is a timely one.
Diabetes Facts from the Centers for Disease Control which reflect the alarming statistics about diabetes in our country:
More than 30 million people in the United States have diabetes, and 1 in 4 of them don’t know they have it.
More than 84 million US adults—over a third—have prediabetes, and 90% of them don’t know they have it.
Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States (and may be underreported).
Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes; type 1 diabetes accounts for about 5%.
In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled as the American population has aged and become more overweight or obese.
People with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke as people without diabetes—and at an earlier age.
Medical costs for people with diabetes are twice as high as for people who don’t have diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association has an excellent website so whether you or a loved one has this disease or you are working on prevention, the wealth of information here is helpful.
Let us celebrate the month of November and the start of a joyful holiday season with family time over memorable meals but with a focus on healthy eating and...in moderation.
When you reach for that second helping of your favorite dishes, make sure you are consciously aware that what goes into your mouth. Food ingested does indeed have consequences on your well being for the future. Enjoy the holidays while maintaining good health!
Written by: Gayle Uchida, Community Relations
Alice Home Care is here to help provide compassionate care for your loved ones who struggle to remain independent in their homes. Give us a call at 510-924-8529 and let us provide you with helping hands and caring hearts.
