As the holiday season approaches, health officials are reminding the public that maintaining healthy eating habits is important throughout the year. Healthy eating can help reduce the risk of serious conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
Diabetes remains a significant health concern in the United States, affecting millions and impacting not only individuals but also their families and finances. According to health experts, people with diabetes face additional challenges in daily life and have an increased risk—sometimes twice as high—of developing cardiovascular disease, stroke, and depression.
The Florida Department of Health encourages residents to seek guidance from their local county health departments for strategies on healthy eating and resources related to diabetes prevention and management. Additional information can be found through organizations such as the American Diabetes Association and the National Diabetes Program.
Prediabetes is another growing issue. It occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet at diabetic levels. Approximately 96 million American adults have prediabetes, but more than 80% are unaware of their condition. Experts note that prediabetes can often be prevented or delayed by making lifestyle changes.
To lower the risk of developing diabetes or other serious conditions like heart disease and stroke, health officials recommend talking to healthcare providers about individual risks; increasing physical activity to at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week; quitting smoking or tobacco use; choosing water over sugary drinks; eating nutritious meals; managing stress; and improving sleep habits.
Officials also advise not to pause healthy routines during holidays. They suggest starting new traditions such as walking after meals and preparing healthier dishes for gatherings.
For those looking for practical ways to incorporate these recommendations into their lives, diabetes-friendly recipes selected by educators and nutritionists from the Florida Department of Health are available for download.