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It's back to school time!
When I was a teacher I used to wince when I saw those words plastered all over stores, TV commercials and other advertisements as early as the Fourth of July.
It always seemed that we had just finished the school year and marketing companies felt it was time to push purchasing pens, paper and other paraphernalia.
I no longer work as a teacher, but in all honesty, there is still a lot of "teacher" in me and I cannot help but try to enlighten people sometimes. Here we go!
Did you know that more than 100 million people in the United States have diabetes or prediabetes?
A 2017 study published by the Center for Disease Control estimated 30.3 million people in the United States have diabetes and 84.1 million adults ages 18 years or older have prediabetes. Diabetes is generally known as a disease in which the body's ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired. Diabetes, especially if left untreated, can lead to blindness, kidney disease, heart disease, amputation and high blood pressure.
Did you know that there are three main types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational (meaning during pregnancy)?
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body's immune system attacks beta cells in the pancreas, resulting in little or no insulin being produced.
Insulin is needed to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in young people.
Type 2 diabetes results when the beta cells of the pancreas produce insulin, but the body is unable to use it properly because the cells of the body are resistant to the action of insulin, or the body doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes, however more children continue to be diagnosed-most likely the result of increased childhood obesity.
Did you know that prediabetes almost always comes before type 2 diabetes?
Prediabetes, also known as "impaired glucose tolerance," involves having higher than normal blood sugar levels, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Doctors, backed by scientific studies, are increasingly recognizing the importance in diagnosing and treating prediabetes. This can help prevent developing serious health problems like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
There is good news!
Type 2 diabetes is usually preventable.
Preventing type 2 diabetes and prediabetes can be impacted by the lifestyle choices people make. Eating healthily, being more physically active, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking can make a significant difference for most people. These same positive choices can help manage those with diabetes.
Did you know that the Bible has helpful information on eating a healthy diet?
Remember Daniel of the lion's den fame? How about the three men who did not burn up in the fiery furnace -- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? The story of these four Israelites who were taken from their home as young men and forced into service in Babylon begins in Chapter 1 of the Book of Daniel.
To serve King Nebuchadnezzar the young men had to be "without physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, and quick to understand" (Daniel 1:3-4). They were trained for three years in the language and literature of the Babylonians. During this time "the king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king's table" (1:5). However, Daniel and his three friends determined not to defile themselves with the royal food and wine. Instead they requested a different diet of vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Now, the official overseeing the training of the young men feared what the king might do if he saw Daniel and his friends "looking worse than the other young men their age," but Daniel convinced the guard serving the chief official to allow them to test the diet for ten days. At the end of the period, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego looked healthier than all the young men who ate the royal food and drank the wine!
In this story we usually focus on the unwavering character and loyalty to God of these men, but I want to focus on the food and drink. Vegetables and water. Hmmm... vegetables and water? Yes, vegetables and water! Today these are the two most common under-represented elements in our diets. Everywhere we go, we are told to eat more fruit and vegetables and drink more water. Even the Bible supports that.
Yet, how can we eat healthier when the cost of those nutritious items usually exceeds the cost of the processed food we find lining the shelves of grocery and convenience stores? First, look for local produce that is in season; stop at roadside stands or go to a farmer's market. Second, grow a small garden or container garden and swap items with others in your neighborhood. Third, save the money you spend on your daily latte, that bag of cheese curls, or other junk foods you want but don't need.
Choices. It all comes down to the individual choices we make. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Cut down on processed foods and added sugars. Walk five more minutes than you did yesterday. Start with one positive choice today, then make another one tomorrow.
Your lesson is over. Your teacher "Mrs. Lewis" hopes that you learned something helpful by reading this article. If you are already familiar with the information, please consider it reinforcement. Have a wonderful day!