During COVID-19, here are three tips to assist you to manage type 2 diabetes | Opinion

Many people are once again donning masks and avoiding large crowds due to the continuous spread of COVID-19 throughout Tennessee and around the country.

This is most certainly the case for the 56 percent of Americans who have a higher risk of COVID-19 consequences such as type 2 diabetes.

It's crucial to remember that type 2 diabetes is a primary source of medical issues, including heart disease and kidney damage, for the 30 million Americans who have it and the 88 million who have prediabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is expensive for both people and the healthcare system as a whole, costing $327 billion a year in medical costs.

Get the weekly opinion newsletter for more Tennessee Voices, including smart and thought-provoking essays.

Type 2 diabetes can be turned into a condition that can be placed into remission rather than a lifelong, chronic disease that requires drugs.

Here are three suggestions to think about throughout National Diabetes Month in November and beyond:

While the body mass index (BMI) has flaws, especially for muscular athletes, this computation of height vs weight can be a useful monitoring tool.

This is because those with a somewhat elevated BMI may be at a higher risk of acquiring diabetic problems. Consult your primary care physician or use an online calculator to keep track of your BMI.

A weight-loss program may be beneficial if your BMI suggests that you are in danger. In fact, research shows that losing just 5% of one's baseline weight can cut the risk of type 2 diabetes by more than half.

Check with your company or health plan for services to help you lose weight, such as online weight-loss programs that focus on helping users develop healthy daily routines. (This is most certainly the case for the 56 percent of Americans who have a higher risk of COVID-19 consequences such as type 2 diabetes.)

Eat at regular intervals.

When it comes to avoiding or treating obesity and diabetes, the adage "you are what you eat" holds true, but when and how you eat may also be important. Interval eating, also known as intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating, alternates periods of fasting and non-fasting throughout the day or week.

Waiting at least an hour after waking up before eating breakfast and avoiding meals within three hours of sleep are two lifestyle modifications to consider. Furthermore, people may pay attention to the order in which they take their meals, beginning with a lean protein (chicken, fish, or turkey), then a vegetable (broccoli, green beans, or carrots), and finally a carbohydrate (brown rice, pasta or sweet potato).

For those with type 2 diabetes, this method may result in decreased post-meal glucose and insulin levels. (This is most certainly the case for the 56 percent of Americans who have a higher risk of COVID-19 consequences such as type 2 diabetes.)

Consider after-meal walks

People who want to better control their blood sugar levels and weight should take brief walks after meals or snacks, especially those that contain additional sweets like juice or desserts.

Post-meal walks may aid in the movement of sugar from the bloodstream into muscle cells, hence assisting in the normalization of blood sugar levels. Make time for a 15-minute walk after meals whenever possible to lower the danger of blood sugar rises.

Many Americans, particularly those with chronic health concerns like type 2 diabetes, may feel stressed as a result of the epidemic. These trying times may act as a motivator for people to improve their health and lower their risk of COVID-19 problems if they follow these suggestions.

For these types of diabetes, the solution is available online through Storm