According to the American Diabetes Association, the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the U.S. is $245 billion, and Guthrie County Hospital Dietician Carol Laughery believes that preventing the disease would be far more cost effective for our healthcare system.   GOOD

With that in mind, Laughery’s first tip in diabetes prevention is to take a hard look at your dietary habits, especially in relation to soft drinks.

“Looking at your snacks that you’re eating.  I can say that if I have someone comes and speaks with and they drink pop, that’s going to be the first thing that we’ll want to work on eliminating for them because I can plan that diet out, but if they’re drinking two or three cans or bottles of pop a day, that really isn’t going to help them to have that ideal diet.”

Laughery says that people with prediabetes can actually decrease their risk of converting to Type II diabetes by 50% if they can find a way to lose just 10% of their overall body weight.  She says one way to lose some of that body weight is to regularly replace meals that are high in fat and high in protein with ones more predicated on whole grains and vegetables.

Laughery also advises local residents to check out events at Guthrie County Hospital throughout November to help raise diabetes awareness because there is a good chance someone in your close circle is affected by the disease whether you know it or not.

Laughery will speak to local residents about diabetes prevention and National Diabetes Awareness Month tonight at 6pm at the Stuart Public Library.