Don’t Keep Silent About Diabetes

Diabetes is one of those conditions that does damage silently, at least at first. But just because you don’t feel anything doesn’t mean diabetes isn’t affecting your health in many ways. To safeguard organs from your kidneys to your heart, you must control diabetes. That starts with getting educated about diabetes—one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family, says certified diabetes educator Joy Richardson, RD, CDE. Diabetes can be controlled with self-management, as long as you get help from a diabetes educator, either through a health center or an individual practitioner who can give you current, correct information. Contrary to old beliefs, there’s no such thing as a “diabetic diet,” explains Richardson. “The healthy diet that is recommended for the general population is the same diet a person with diabetes should be working with.” However, glucose monitoring and all other steps outlined by your health team are a must.