Newswise — Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death in people with diabetes, yet many people are unaware there is a connection. If you or a loved one has diabetes it is important to know how to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.
"Currently, 2 out of 3 people with diabetes in the United States die from a heart attack or stroke," says Sue McLaughlin, RD, CDE, President, Health Care & Education, American Diabetes Association. “Diet and exercise can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes-related complications such as heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputations. In many cases, medicine is also needed to keep diabetes under control."
The American Diabetes Association offers these healthy eating tips to help prevent the risk of heart disease and stroke in people with diabetes:
- Choose whole-grain, high-fiber foods. Try a grain like barley for a new taste.
- Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits. Shoot for a rainbow of colors.
- If you drink alcohol, stick to 1 or 2 drinks at the most.
- Ditch the saltshaker. Try fresh herbs and spices.
- Avoid trans fat, which is found in many pastries, cakes, french fries, crackers and other processed foods and packages. Also, limit intake of foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol.
- Choose non-fat dairy, and have several “meatless meals” every week. Use beans, veggie burgers, lentils and other sources of vegetarian protein.
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