Diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, is very common in Canada. Many of us probably know someone who has been diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes.
Many people know someone who has been diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes.
The Canadian Diabetes Association says, “Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body does not produce insulin or use it effectively.”
Without effective insulin, blood sugar levels can rise or fall beyond the normal range. Diabetic patients strive to manage their blood sugar levels because constant high or low blood sugar levels put a strain on the body.
Diabetes will be diagnosed earlier and better educated about diabetes treatment. What was once considered a life-threatening diagnosis is now a manageable disease with a variety of tools, including diet, exercise, stress management, and medication.
For too long, people with diabetes have faced stigma around their diagnosis. We hope that adding value judgments to a diabetes diagnosis and making assumptions about how people with diabetes live will soon be a thing of the past.
Diabetes happens, but the support and care of friends and family can be a great tool for managing this chronic disease. Let go of the stigma and shame surrounding a diabetes diagnosis.
Nutrition is one of the tools that can make a big difference in managing blood sugar levels. We no longer accept the idea that some foods are prohibited for diabetics. In fact, there’s a movement to enjoy your favorite foods while managing your blood sugar levels.
If you want to change your diet to include more “healthy” foods as a result of your diagnosis, there are several options. Although the current food economy makes food difficult to access, people are finding ways to connect with different foods.
Planning your garden at this time of year not only gives you more access to fresh food to grow, but also gives you the physical benefits of working in the garden.
Similarly, this is the time of year when you can sign up for a weekly share of farm produce or a CSA share. You can increase your vegetable consumption by buying and eating produce weekly at your CSA or farmers market. You may end up saving money and increasing your nutrition at the same time.
Using food shopping apps is another way to find cheaper food. Too Good To Go is an app used by restaurants and some food producers to sell their surplus food at a cheaper price. For example, in Guelph he recently had the option of getting four boxes of fresh salad greens from a local hydroponic garden for less than $10.
In addition to food, many things in life affect blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels can go up and down due to stress, illness, exercise, medicine, and even what you eat. You can learn how to combine activities like walking with meals to help stabilize blood sugar levels. Or maybe your goal is to reduce stress to improve your quarterly blood tests.
Your health care provider will work with you to give you medications to keep your blood sugar levels at desired levels. Fortunately, we have a variety of options today.
Need more help with your diagnosis? In Guelph, you’re lucky to receive diabetes education from Diabetes Care Guelph (DCG). DCG says it is “dedicated to helping people with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or gestational diabetes, or at risk for diabetes, live healthy, fulfilling lives.” .
Your health care provider can refer you to see a certified diabetes educator (nurse, nutritionist, kinesiologist, foot care nurse), or you can refer yourself by calling 519-840-1964.Please check it out here.
Diabetes Support Group at Evergreen Senior Community Center. Guelph Wellington Senior Citizens Association, provides peer-to-peer support for diabetes. It can be very helpful to share your successes and struggles with people who have diabetes or are caring for people with diabetes. Although you must maintain membership in this member-based organization, this group may be valuable to some people.
The East Wellington Family Health Team is also offering several virtual education sessions about prediabetes and diabetes.to connect with them
Free educational sessions are planned for this spring.
