Taking steps to prevent or manage diabetes may lower your risk of developing diabetes-related health problems. Bringing awareness to the disease is American Diabetes Association Alert Day March 26.

Although diabetes may not be 100% preventable for everyone, making healthy choices provides the best chance of not developing it. In the U.S., nine out of 10 cases of diabetes can be avoided if the lifestyle changes are implemented, such as:

• Eliminate sugar and refined carbs.
• Work out regularly and avoid a sedentary lifestyle.
• Make water the primary beverage.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Quit smoking.
• Eat a high fiber diet.
• Optimize Vitamin D levels.
• Take natural herbs, such as curcumin and berberine, that increase insulin sensitivity.

As a Concordia Health Plan member, you have resources to help you with your weight and blood sugar levels. They’re designed to meet you where you are on the diabetes spectrum. 

Wondr provides a series of short videos and other resources in a kit mailed to your home to make you more aware of how and when you eat. Incorporating the lessons and tips learned from Wondr into your daily routine allows you to maintain and lose weight.

If you’ve been diagnosed by your doctor as being pre-diabetic or have been told you’re “at-risk,” Omada can help you lose weight, lower your blood sugar and keep you from crossing over into the type 2 diabetes range. Consider taking this fast and easy Diabetes Risk Test to determine what your risk may be.

If you have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, Diabetes Management Plus from Teladoc Health, helps you to manage your diabetes to lessen swings in your blood glucose levels and get it more under control. This program includes a glucometer, unlimited testing supplies and various levels of expert support to make living with diabetes easier. There’s also additional support for weight and hypertension management.

Virta can help reverse your diabetes symptoms and move you back into the safer blood sugar zone. Members who have gone through the program have substantially lowered their A1C number, lowered their triglycerides and have reduced or even eliminated their cholesterol, diabetes and blood pressure medications – all while losing weight. 

If you’re interested in learning more about the difference between prediabetes and diabetes, check out this recorded webinar from our partners at Omada: Understanding Prediabetes and Diabetes

Learn more about the diabetes prevention and management solutions available to you through your CHP to support your weight, blood sugar and diabetes risk management goals.