Wellness news: Diabetes management tips from Kaiser

More than a third of Americans have prediabetes — and 90 percent of them don't even know it. The good news is that most cases of type 2 diabetes are preventable. Healthy lifestyle changes can help you avoid, control or even reverse the disease.

• Keep your weight in check. Excess weight is the primary cause of type 2 diabetes. If you're overweight, losing just 7 to 10 percent of your current weight can cut your risk in half. Maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent other health problems, too, including heart disease and certain types of cancer.
• Be carb-smart. Limit sugar and refined carbohydrates like white bread, pasta and rice. Focus on high-fiber, whole-grain complex carbohydrates —they're digested more slowly, which helps keep your blood sugar steady.
• Stay active to stay healthy. Inactivity promotes type 2 diabetes, so regular exercise is essential. You don't have to spend hours sweating in the gym to get the benefits — just walking briskly for a half hour every day can reduce your risk by up to 30 percent.

Want more ways to prevent or manage diabetes?  Visit kp.org/diabetes