World Diabetes Day: Diabetes has emerged as a major global health concern. Every year, more and more people are being diagnosed with this condition. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), about 422 million people suffer from diabetes worldwide. While there is no permanent cure for it, it can certainly be managed by taking certain preventive measures. To spread awareness about the increasing complexity of this condition, World Diabetes Day is marked every year on November 14. This year, the theme highlights the importance of having equal access to essential care and the right information for timely treatment.
When Is World Diabetes Day Celebrated? | World Diabetes Day Date
World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on November 14 to raise awareness of diabetes as a critical global health issue. It highlights the implications of the chronic disease so that preventive measures can be taken to help manage it. The day is marked by the birth anniversary of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin with Charles Best in 1922. The day aims to promote the IDF's efforts to take action and confront diabetes as a global health issue.
World Diabetes Day Theme: 'Access To Diabetes Care'
The theme for World Diabetes Day 2023 is 'Access to Diabetes Care'. It highlights the importance of having equal access to the right information and essential care to ensure timely treatment and management. The theme is focused on spreading awareness about diabetes among healthcare professionals and those suffering from it. This would educate, encourage early diagnosis, and allow people to take preventive steps to stop it from escalating.
Also Read: Connection Between Diabetes And Eye Health: How To Manage Diabetic Retinopathy
World Diabetes Day 2023: Here Are Some Expert Tips You Can Follow To Manage Blood Sugar:
To help you manage diabetes effectively, here we'll be sharing some expert tips by our consultant nutritionist, Rupali Datta:
1. Include more protein in your diet:
A diabetic diet should be enriched with protein-rich foods. Dutta explains that one should not increase their protein intake drastically but instead only include an appropriate amount. She suggests having healthy proteins such as legumes, whole dals, soy, fish, white meat, and yoghurt. One should avoid having red or processed meat, as they can in turn increase the risk of diabetes. So, while it is essential to include protein in your diet, you must be mindful of the type of diabetes you have to manage effectively.
2. Have fibre-rich foods:
Not just protein, but you must include fibre-rich foods in your diet as well. This includes both soluble and insoluble dietary fibre. Whether it's whole grains, fruits, vegetables, or whole dals, make a conscious effort to have some every day. A diet rich in fibre has been shown to reduce the onset of diabetes dramatically and improve fasting blood sugar levels. Have more fibre-rich foods and limit the intake of processed foods to manage this chronic condition and prevent complications.
3. Eat healthy carbs:
Do you avoid having carbs in your meal? If so, you need to stop doing so. Eliminating a nutrient completely from your diet is never a good idea. But the trick here is to eat healthier forms of carbs. She explains that one can achieve this goal by including good sources of carbs in their diet, such as millets, whole grains, whole fruits, and vegetables. The only type of carb you should stay away from is processed, as that can cause a spike in blood sugar levels.
4. Opt for healthier fats:
Fats usually have a reputation for being unhealthy for our bodies. However, this is not the case. It's all about eating the right type of fat to see results. For diabetes, Dutta suggests having a combination of healthy fats with low saturated fats and no trans fats. Some of the oils that you can consider using include rice bran oil, peanut oil, mustard oil, til oil, and safflower oil. Other than these, you can also opt for extra-virgin olive oil.
Here's wishing all our readers a very happy World Diabetes Day!