Diabetes Awareness week

Diabetes Awareness Week 15-21 November

This week is Diabetes Awareness Week.

Over 200,000 New Zealanders have diabetes and it is growing rapidly - every day 40 more people are diagnosed.

However, equipping people with knowledge to make even small changes in their lifestyle can have a dramatic affect on their wellbeing. We would like to invite you to help us do just this and raise awareness about diabetes, and the simple changes people can make to significantly improve their wellbeing.

Diabetes is one of New Zealand’s biggest health problems. Over 200,000 New Zealanders have diabetes and it is growing rapidly - every day 40 more people are diagnosed.

Diabetes can lead to health complications such as cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney disease, and vascular insufficiency – which in turn can result in nerve damage in the feet, and amputation of the lower leg.

We all know we should choose a healthier lifestyle. This is important both for people with diabetes to manage their diabetes, and people without diabetes to try and prevent diabetes developing. And the good news it’s much easier than you think to form good habits for life that your whole family can enjoy.

Little changes are better than extreme makeovers, which often don’t last. If you permanently adopt at least one of these tips you’ll also be surprised how it improves many other things along the way:

·         Eat Your Greens

Make at least half of your meal veggies – they’re filling, packed with goodness and can make your meat, fish and dairy go lots further. Popular seasonal basics are always good value and remember that frozen and canned vegetables count too.

·         Keep moving

Our bodies are built to move. So stand, walk, climb, run, cycle, jump, dance, swim and wiggle. Whether by accident or design the more you move the better you’ll feel.

·         Get to know your grains

Don’t be scared of the “bits” in bread and breakfast cereals – they give flavour, variety and texture, not to mention nutrients. So try a few types until you find some favourites. Because staying healthy means our gut needs a workout too.

·         Think before you drink

Keeping drinks low in energy and high in hydration can help balance energy intake and appetite. Thirst can be mistaken for hunger so if you’re just plain thirsty, water is a great, energy free choice. Even when you’d normally reach for a sweet fizzy drink, try the new generation of lite fizzy drinks. They taste the same without the extra sugar. Alcoholic drinks contain a lot of sugar so are best enjoyed in moderation, if at all.

·         Find your sweet spot

Fruit is a great sweet snack, but sometimes you need something stronger. Having the occasional small sweet treat that you really enjoy can help you keep balance and perspective.

·         Show smoking the door

You already know the best thing you could do for your health is to quit. There are lots of programmes like quitline.co.nz that can support your determination and really help you on your journey to quit.

You can find more information about diabetes on the Diabetes New Zealand website.

About Diabetes New Zealand

Diabetes New Zealand is a non-profit organisation which represents people with diabetes and provides a national support network.

Visit www.diabetes.org.nz to find out more.

www.diabetes.org.nz