Take Steps Now to Prevent Diabetes
At Goldsmith Podiatry, diabetes is a serious health concern for our Manhattan patients. Diabetes can lead to problems with the skin, bones, and joints of your feet. Conditions that commonly accompany diabetes—peripheral neuropathy and decreased circulation—increase the risk of dangerous ulcers that don’t heal. Diabetes is a leading cause of amputation. The current estimation is that 34 million Americans have diabetes, and approximately 88 million have prediabetes—which means they have elevated blood sugar levels but have not yet progressed to full diabetes. November is American Diabetes Month. Now is the time to act and make positive lifestyle choices that can prevent the onset of diabetes.
Change Your Diet—eating to prevent or manage diabetes doesn’t mean giving up everything you love. The cornerstones of a healthy diet include:
Ample amounts of fruits and vegetables
Lean meats, fish, and plant-based protein sources
Reduced sugar
Less processed foods
You’ll also want to maintain a healthy weight or lose weight by controlling portion size and making smart substitutions. The trick is not to try to make drastic changes. Small steps—like swapping flavored seltzer for sugar sodas, reading labels to find foods with less added sugar, and filling half your plate with vegetables and salad—will yield positive results.
Increase Physical Activity—strive to get more regular physical exercise into your life. Pair up with a partner to help you stay motivated. Track your activity, and don’t be afraid to mix it up with different fitness activities. You’ll be more likely to stick with exercising if it’s something you enjoy. Consider taking a dance class, joining a hiking club, or other activity that you’ll look forward to.
Take Care of Your Health—other health conditions are often found to be correlated to diabetes. For instance, 2 out of 3 patients with diabetes also have high blood pressure. Making healthy choices like learning new ways to manage stress and quitting smoking will reduce your risk of developing diabetes and other health problems.
To learn more about your risk for diabetes and how to reduce it, talk to our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith and Dr. Rosanna Troia. Contact our Upper West Side NYC office for an appointment by calling: (212) 877-1002.