AnxiouslyBold

You may or may not be aware that today, November 14th 2014, is World Diabetes Day. I know this post is a little out of my usual box but it’s something I’ve been planning for a while. Running a lifestyle blog allows me the freedom to post about all of the things affecting my life and that I deem to be important. There are a number of individuals in my family who are affected by Diabetes, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to spread a little awareness. I am by no means attempting to explain or offer advice, I do however want to talk very briefly about the campaign being run by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). If you are completely in the dark about Diabetes itself, HERE is a good place to start. I will also be providing useful links throughout the post.

Healthy Living and Diabetes, is the focus of this years campaign. With the IDF focusing “on the importance of starting the day with a healthy breakfast to help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes and effectively manage all types of diabetes to avoid complications.”

The website dedicated to the campaign (CLICK HERE TO VIEW) offers great advice on healthy options, options that reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as compelling information about the cost of eating healthy and the burden of type 2 diabetes on our healthcare services.

• Up to 11% of total healthcare expenditure in every country across the globe could be saved by tackling the preventable risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
• Over 70% of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented or delayed by adopting healthier lifestyles, equivalent to up to 150 million cases by 2035.
• Diabetes accounts for 10-15% of the total healthcare budgets in high income countries. 1 in 9 healthcare US$ is spent on diabetes.

Diabetes costs us money and it can cost us lives. But type 2 Diabetes is preventable and prevention starts with a healthy diet.

• A healthy diet is, on average, US$ 1.50 a day more expensive than an unhealthy one, increasing food costs for one person by about US$ 550 a year.

That might sound like a lot of money but really it only equates to two less drinks at the pub on the weekend. Besides there are so many sources (1, 2, 3, 4) for cheaper, healthy food available on the internet that eating healthy being too expensive is no long a valid excuse. There is an obesity problem in our society that we simply mustn’t ignore.

Don’t eat healthy to lose weight, eat healthy to feel healthy.

• If you want to get involved in the promotion of eating healthy, why not check out Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution.
• If you want to get involved in World Diabetes Day, check out this website for ideas, and over here for all the worldwide events.
• Why not download the World Diabetes Day app and post your blue circle selfie to raise awareness.

Like I said before, I am not an expert, I am not here to advise you or explain this important issue in any real detail. But I do want to let you know that I think it’s important, and you should too. Thank you if you’ve read this far, I tried to be succinct. If I have raised the awareness levels of just one person, I’m happy.

I hope you’ve all had your healthy breakfast and I wish you a wonderful weekend.

xx

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