What causes diabetes?
We don’t yet know what causes diabetes, but we know it is linked to some factors you can’t control — like genetics, race, and age — and some factors you can control, such as obesity and lack of exercise.
What are the different types of diabetes?
There are three types of diabetes.
Type 1: This genetic condition leaves your body unable to produce insulin. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5 to 10 percent of all diabetes cases in the U.S.
Type 2: This type of diabetes can be alleviated, and potentially eliminated by proper diet and exercise, along with maintaining a healthy body weight. Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body becomes resistant to insulin, makes insufficient amounts of insulin or does not use insulin effectively.
Gestational diabetes: This form occurs only in pregnant women and only about 4 percent of pregnancies. Most women recover from gestational diabetes after giving birth, but they remain at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
What are the risk factors for diabetes?
You are at higher risk for Type 2 diabetes if you:
- Are overweight
- Are 45 years or older
- Have a parent or sibling with Type 2 diabetes
- Are physically active fewer than three times each week
- Were diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy
- Are Black, Native American or Hispanic/Latino
You are at higher risk factor for Type 1 diabetes if you:
- Have family history of Type 1 diabetes
- Are white
Type 1 diabetes is also more likely to be diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults.
What are common complications caused by diabetes?
Diabetes can cause serious, even life-threatening complications. To prevent or minimize complications, monitor your blood sugar, take your medication and fuel your body with proper nutrition.
Complications can include:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Loss of vision or blindness
- Kidney disease
- Lower limb amputation
Diabetes-friendly foods.
Eating well with diabetes is so much more than watching your sugar intake. Fueling your body with what the American Diabetes Association calls “diabetes superfoods” will give you the nutrients you need to be healthy and keep your diabetes in check.
- Kidney, pinto, navy, or black beans (just keep an eye on moderation and salt intake)
- Dark, leafy greens like spinach, collards, and kale
- Citrus fruit such as grapefruits, oranges, lemons, and limes
- Sweet potatoes
- Berries, including blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries
- Tomatoes
- Nuts
- Fish that is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, trout, and albacore tuna
- Whole grains like whole oats, quinoa, whole grain barley, and farro
- Milk and dairy
Keep an eye on foods that sound healthy but really aren’t. This includes sugary cereals with a “whole grain” label and yogurts that are loaded with additional sugar.
Cooking tips.
Buying healthy food is only one part of the equation. How you prepare the food and your portion size make up the rest.
Here are a few easy-to-remember food prep tips to make the most of your diabetes superfoods:
- Broil, bake, or grill your fish and lean meat. Food that is breaded and fried is loaded in unhealthy carbs and fat.
- Using vegetable and olive oil sparingly. Just a bit goes a long way.
- Drain and rinse canned beans and vegetables to eliminate as much extra salt as possible.
Call 321.361.5561 for information on our Diabetes Self Management Education Program
Additional resources.
If you’d like to read more about diabetes, visit these sites for more education and information.