I always tell my patients that it is much easier (and less costly) to develop and keep healthy habits early on rather than develop type 2 diabetes and deal with restrictions and worries on a daily basis. Understanding and recognizing the risk factors can be hard, even overwhelming for many people, especially for Hispanics who may not have acculturated resources and family with the needed experience to offer guidance and support. However, findings from the U.S. Census Bureau – Health Status, Health Insurance and Medical Services Utilization: 2010, demonstrated that getting them to visit a doctor periodically seems to be one of the biggest challenges as Hispanics are the least likely ethnic group to visit a medical provider. Therefore, education and practical prevention are key for a healthy journey.
Where to begin? As health educators it can be challenging to communicate all the risk factors for type 2 diabetes as well as great benefits of following a healthy diet in a couple minutes. And while there are some great resources out there, many are complex, not available in Spanish and not easy to keep handy.
Today I have good news! I am delighted to highlight a few practical tips to help you motivate your patients and support their goals to live healthier lives,
- Secure their trust by demonstrating you genuinely care for their wellbeing; truly listen and plan to follow-up
- Individualize their health plan to meet their unique health needs; a weight reduction plan will likely need be part of the regimen
- Create a meal plan that includes favorite foods such as fresh avocados, which are cholesterol, sodium and sugar free. Avocados are also a good source of fiber and can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes as part of a diet rich in healthy foods containing fiber.
- Set a plan to review their glucose and lipid levels as often as possible, which is critical for managing their progress and to keeping them engaged in their wellness plan
- Encourage your patients to download this free wallet guide to remind them of delicious simple steps to help prevent type 2 diabetes. They can carry these little booklets with them in their wallets to keep them motivated
Sponsored by Aguacates Frescos – Saborea Uno Hoy® but all opinions are my own
