Type 2 diabetes causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high, and if blood sugar isn’t controlled properly and stays too high, a number of problems can occur including kidney failure, nerve damage, heart disease and stroke.
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So what can be done to prevent the condition and keep blood sugar levels in check?
Eating a healthy diet is just one of the ways blood sugar levels can be managed.
The NHS advises: “There’s nothing you cannot eat if you have type 2 diabetes, but you’ll have to limit certain foods.
“You should eat a wide range of foods – including fruit, vegetables and some starchy foods like pasta, keep sugar, fat and salt to a minimum, and eat breakfast, lunch and dinner every day – do not skip meals.”
But when it comes to the first meal of the day, breakfast, one food that should be avoided is cereal bars.
Diabetes UK states: “Cereal bars aren’t always as healthy as they appear.
“For a better breakfast snack on the go, grab some fresh fruit and a handful of nuts instead.
“Combine it with a glass of semi or skimmed milk to keep hydrated and get essential calcium for your bones and teeth.”
Cereal can also hold a similar problem. The diabetes charity adds: “Although the packaging may make some cereals – like granola and cereal clusters – appear healthy, they are often full of free sugars and unhealthy fat.
“Some children’s cereals also have a lot of free sugar.
“Instead, they not switch to porridge? Porridge oats or the instant variety are both fine – just avoid those with added free sugars like honey and golden syrup.
“Wheat biscuits, shredded wheat or muesli (with no added sugar) are also great alternatives. For sweetness, add chopped fruit.”
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Oats in particular have been studied for their blood sugar-lowering properties.
They contain large amounts of beta-glucan, a type of soluble fibre.
Beta-glucan partially dissolves in water and forms a thick, gel-like solution in the gut, and this process has been shown to reduce blood sugar and insulin response.
Oats have also been shown to lower blood sugar levels, especially in people who are overweight to have type 2 diabetes.
Alongside eating a healthy, balanced diet, regular exercise can help control blood sugar levels.
Experts advise people aim to do 2.5 hours of activity a week.
You can be active anywhere as long as what you’re doing gets you out of breath.
Examples include fast walking, climbing stairs and doing more strenuous housework or gardening.
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