Let’s be honest. Sometimes eating a piece of chocolate is the greatest of medicine. We are no angels, and to indulge every now and again, we believe, is good for the soul.

However, let’s face the facts. There are approximately 890,000 Australians currently diagnosed with diabetes. In addition to these numbers, it is also predicted that there are thousands of people with undiagnosed diabetes.

What Happens, Exactly?

Diabetes is a condition related to problems with blood sugar levels. For proper bodily functioning, you need to be able to take glucose (i.e. sugar) out of your blood and into your cells for energy via a hormone called insulin. Diabetic patients have problems with their insulin so when a diabetic eats sugar it can’t enter their cells to be made into energy, so it stays in the blood causing high blood glucose levels. Having high levels of glucose in your blood for prolonged periods of time can cause very serious health problems.

Risk Factors For Developing Diabetes

Are you overweight?
Do you have a family history of diabetes?
Does your daily diet contain high amounts of sugars and/or refined carbs?
Do you have a sedentary lifestyle and lack regular exercise?

Some early warning signs that may indicate that your blood sugar levels could be a problem in the future include:

Frequent sugar cravings
2 to 4 pm energy slump
Constant fatigue
Foggy head
Mood swings
Trouble losing weight – especially around your waist
Frequent urination

If you answered YES to any of these questions or warning signs, speak to us today about how we can help you prevent and/or manage diabetes. The good news is that diabetes is avoidable if you focus on having a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Herbs and nutrients can also help to balance blood sugar levels such as Cinnamon, Korean Ginseng, and Chromium.

In the meantime, follow these diet & lifestyle tips:

Maintain a healthy weight. If you need to lose weight, talk to us about the weight management program we run or click here for more information
Eat small, regular meals containing protein rich foods such as fish, lean meat, legumes, nuts and eggs. Click here for some great recipe ideas on our Facebook page
Include plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds in your daily diet
Avoid eating sugary foods and refined carbohydrates – breads, cakes, biscuits and pastries. Save these foods for special occasions
Limit alcohol consumption and have AT LEAST 2 alcohol free nights each week
Include regular exercise into your lifestyle for healthy weight maintenance

Remember, we are here to help and can advise you on how best to manage diabetes, or the early warning signs, with weight management options, herbs, supplements and dietary care.