The number of people with Pre-Diabetes, a condition that is marked by elevated glucose readings, but not yet high enough to constitute diabetes, stands are 57 million and growing in the U.S. alone. Without lifestyle intervention, a large percentage of people with Pre Diabetes will develop Type 2 diabetes. If you are overweight or obese, lack regular exercise, are Hispanic, American Indian, African-American or Pacific Islander or have a family history of Type 2 diabetes, you have a higher chance of developing the disease.
Check out MyOptumHealth.com for the full list of 20 ways to halt Pre Diabetes. Here is a selection of the four easiest and most practical recommendations to reduce your risk:
* Walking – Squeeze in several short walks each day, possibly before work, after dinner, and during breaks or lunchtime at work or school. You can even make this a social event by taking the walks with a friend or visiting a nearby park.
* Enhance Everyday Activities – Add physical activity to everyday events, such as mowing the lawn or caring for your dog. Take the dog for a walk instead of simply letting it out in the yard and use a push mower instead of a riding mower to cut the grass.
* Monitor Your Eating Out Tendencies – You may want to save eating out for special occasions, or, if you eat out regularly, you may want to avoid all-you-can-eat buffets. Reconsidering your portions may help too. For instance, you may want to eat an appetizer as a meal or split a portion.
* Don’t Starve Yourself – Even though losing a few pounds may be the goal, you want to do so in a healthy way. Make sure to eat breakfast because studies show that people who skip this meal tend to weigh more. Also, keeping a healthy snack on hand to fight hunger during the day is a good idea.
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