November is National Diabetes Month

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. It is a chronic health condition that impairs the body’s ability to produce or respond to normal levels of insulin, a hormone that helps metabolize food into energy after meals. This malfunctioning of insulin leads to a dangerous build up of sugars in the blood stream, which, over time, can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health issues if not managed.

One in 11 Americans is affected by diabetes, which amounts to more than 29 million people and $245 million in health care spending each year. 86 million more Americans are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The good news is that type 2 diabetes can be prevented and sometimes reversed with healthy lifestyle changes, like eating healthier foods, exercising, and losing weight.

To raise awareness of the disease and provide resources for care and prevention, the American Diabetes Association sponsors National Diabetes Month in November. Below you will find resources for sharing knowledge about diabetes, seeking care, and developing healthy lifestyle habits for prevention.

Resources:

1.  The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion put together a toolkit with resources for raising awareness of diabetes within your communities. The American Diabetes Association also has resources for planning events and spreading the news about diabetes.

2. The American Diabetes Association developed a Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test to help you understand your health status and weather or not you should seek help from your doctor.

3. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has a National Diabetes Prevention Program that contains a wealth of information on diabetes and provides access to their research-proven program for prevention of type 2 diabetes.

4. The National Diabetes Education Program created Small Steps Big Rewards to help you identify and practice healthy lifestyle changes.

5. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion provides questions to ask your doctor about type 2 diabetes.

6. The American Diabetes Association has healthy and delicious recipes tailored to individuals with diabetes. Moxy Kitchen also provides whole food recipes to promote optimal health.

Help raise awareness about diabetes today for a healthier America tomorrow!

Dr Kara

My journey to find a balanced way of living led me to a Ph.D. in Nutrition at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master’s in Public Health at the University of California-Berkeley. My studies and experiences afford me a deep understanding of diet and lifestyle factors that contribute to optimal health. I contribute to projects in the U.S. and abroad that improve the health of individuals and families through nutritious foods. I believe the foods we eat impact our lives in so many ways, ranging from nourishing our body’s cells and tissues, to supporting emotional, physical, and social wellbeing. I am thrilled to be a part of the Moxy Kitchen team and support the development of flavorful, easy-to-use food products that add a nutrient-dense punch to daily meals.