Keep your wits about you.

If you are a person with diabetes and struggle to keep your blood glucose levels under control, don’t get carried away with trick or treating. Do not be fooled into believing that just a little nibble here and there won’t hurt. This snacking behavior tends to escalate quickly. It’s easier to develop a bad habit than a good one. Don’t reverse a year of good habits because of a few cheap temptations. Even if you aren’t monitoring sugar levels, no good can come from eating directly out of the sugar bowl.

Don’t let manufacturers fool you. Tiny little bite size portions are no less sugar packed than their big brothers. They’re just smaller, which has people convinced they can consume three or four and only have had the equivalent of one portion. These pint-sized pieces are fat and sugar, two major speed bumps on the highway to good health.

Think about the pros and cons of folly.

Weight gain and inactivity are short cuts to developing type II diabetes. With obesity becoming an ever increasing problem for Americans, and diabetes growing into a major health concern, you need to stop and think about the consequences of what you eat. The effects of diabetes are long ranging, and can make misery for your body, right down to your feet. Nerve damage brought on by poor circulation spells disaster for diabetic feet. Inability to feel or sense pain can lead to wounds that do not heal, easily become infected and in more serious cases lead to loss of limb or life. All actions have consequences. Rather than your actions leading to more devastating damage to your body, wouldn’t you and your feet be better off passing up the candy aisle.

If you are at risk for developing diabetes, take positive action:

• Diet to reach a healthy body weight
• Exercise
• Make good food choices
• Reduce alcohol and sodium intake

I recognize the dangers to your foot health. We can tell you all about the negative impact that obesity and diabetes have on your feet. Contact the Hillsboro office at (503) 648-1713, the Newberg office at (503) 538-0466 or the Beaverton office at (503) 292-9252 for an appointment and learn about positive steps you can take to protect your health.

K.G. Gauntt, DPM