 | Laura Sansgaard
is a registered, licensed dietitian. She has worked at Via Christi Regional Medical Center since 1988. Via Christi is a state-of-the-art tertiary care facility with over 1500 licensed beds. It is part of Via Christi Health System, a not-for-profit, Catholic health system sponsored by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Wichita.
Laura is a member of the American Dietetic Association. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Nutrition/
Dietetics from Iowa State University. You may reach Laura by e-mail at laura_sansgaard@via-christi.org, or by phone at (316) 268-7137. |
Diet & Nutrition
2002-07-01 11:41:00
Avoiding diabetes
Question: I am 54 and probably 15 to 20 pounds overweight. I have a physical each year. There has never been any showing of potential diabetes, however my mother has diet-controlled diabetes. There is no other history of diabetes in my family. What should I be doing insofar as diet at this stage in my life to have the best chance of avoiding diabetes?
Answer: The American Diabetes Association offers the following risk reduction guidelines on their website (http://www.diabetes.org/):· Keep your weight in control (or lose weight if you are overweight)· Stay active most days of the week· Eat low fat meals that are high in fruits, vegetables and whole grain foodsThese guidelines are consistent with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture's recommendations for anyone wanting to improve their overall health and reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.Each of these organizations offers helpful tools, ideas and information to assist you in assessing your risk factors and achieving the recommended goals.You may access the Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture's Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans through the web at www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines. You may also call 1-888-878-3256 (M-F, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Eastern Time) to request a copy of the Consumer Information Center Catalog, for ordering this and other publications on food and nutrition.As mentioned above, the American Diabetes Association's website address is http://www.diabetes.org/. You may also call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-342-2383 (M-F, 8:30 am to 8:00 pm Eastern Time) to request information.If you'd like personalized help in evaluating your diet and developing nutrition goals, a registered dietitian can help you. If you need help finding a registered dietitian in your area, call 1-800-366-1655, or visit the American Dietetic Association's website at http://www.eatright.org/. Many medical centers also offer outpatient dietary counseling services.I applaud your interest in making changes now to reduce your risk of developing diabetes. Best wishes as you work on healthier eating habits!
