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Diabetes Awareness Month

November is recognized as Diabetes Awareness Month. You may see a blue ribbon floating around this time of the year; it represents the 30.3 million people with diabetes, the 84.1 million with prediabetes, and the countless Americans who don’t know they have them. Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects the way your body turns food into energy.

Every time we eat, the food is broken down into sugar. These sugars are released into your bloodstream. When our blood sugar rises, our pancreas is triggered to send in the big guns: insulin. Insulin is the way we use our blood sugar as energy. Those with diabetes have a problem with their insulin production. Our pancreas either can’t make enough insulin (type 1) or the insulin it does make loses its effectiveness (type 2). On the surface, this only seems to indicate less energy, therefore more sluggishness. But, over time, a lack of insulin can cause much more serious health problems, like heart disease, vision loss, and more.

What Can You Do?

Diabetes has no cure. There are ways to manage diabetes through proper education, treatment, and lifestyle change. If you have prediabetes, you can cut your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in half by staying active and eating healthy. “Staying active and eating healthy” is said so often it almost immediately elicits a groan. That’s where the Harrisburg Area YMCA comes in!

The Harrisburg Area YMCA’s Center for Healthy Living offers a variety of programs to help you with your lifestyle and habits. The YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program‘s goal is to reduce your body weight by 7%, increase your physical activity, and boost your energy! Everyone needs a push sometimes and a little encouragement goes a long way. This program offers a group setting where the participants share common goals, new beginnings, and unwavering support. Learn more about this program by visiting our website.

If you’re just recently learning about diabetes and what it can all mean for you, you may be considering changing the way you eat. Small changes in our diets can go a long way, and it can start at the dinner table. Whether you’re cooking for your family or going solo, adapting your evening cuisine toward healthier recipes is a great place to start! Celebrate Diabetes Awareness Month the right way by whipping up these tasty recipes.

Coconut Chicken Soup

This delightfully autumnal soup is low in fat, high in protein, and filling. Whip it up today!

Coconut Chicken Soup

Salmon & Spinach Salad with Avocado

This salad is fresh, tasty, and power-packed. It’s also very easy to make, especially after a hard day at work. Find it here!

Salmon & Spinach Salad with Avocado

Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Dress up your chicken and take it out for a low-cal night on the town. Vouch for a lettuce wrap instead of a bun and make it low-carb! Click here for the recipe.

Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Pork Chop Skillet

Any veggies work with this protein-packed comfort-food dish. Perfect for diabetics! Find it here.

Pork Chop Skillet

Beef Fajitas

Delicious beef in 20 minutes or less! Go carb-less by nixing the tortilla and chips. We vote to serve these on a bed of lettuce for a powerful salad kick! Check it out.

Beef Fajitas

Vegetarian Tacos

These tacos are vegetarian-friendly, crunchy, and fresh! This quick dish is perfect for your whole family. Find it here!

Vegetarian Tacos

Green Beans with Fried Shallots

This steamy dish is perfect for your green bean lovers. The dressing on this dish will have you licking your plate! Find out for yourself.

Green Beans with Fried Shallots

Instant Pot Chicken Chili

Who doesn’t like chili? Better yet, who doesn’t like a recipe you can make while you’re at work? It’s scrumptious, warm, and filling. Make it today!

Instant Pot Chicken Chili

Asian Turkey Lettuce Cups

This tasty recipe is low-carb, high-protein, and high-reward. Serve in lettuce cups or over shredded lettuce! Check it out.

Asian Turkey Lettuce Cups

Ginger Salmon with Brown Rice

This recipe only needs 5 ingredients and a half-hour of your time! It’s heart-healthy, fibrous, and delicious. Find it here.

Ginger Salmon with Brown Rice

Now that you have dinner ideas for the next week and a half, what’s next? Staying healthy is one thing, staying active is another. At the Y, we have endless opportunities for our members to reclaim their health. Our fitness classes are available at several branches. They include yoga, HIIT, cardio, strength, dance, and more. Most of our classes are free with your membership and can be modified depending on your level of ability and accessibility. Our incredible instructors are here for you to make sure you get the most out of each class! To see what classes are happening near you, visit our website or download our FREE mobile app.

All of our branches have everything you need in their Wellness Centers. It’s understandable that walking into a large gym and seeing all the machines can be daunting, so we offer Y-Fit! It’s a free program offered at our East Shore YMCA and West Shore YMCA branches. It allows our new members to receive orientations showcasing all of our workout equipment. A certified fitness trainer will help you lock down a new routine and advise which machines are best for your goals. Learn more about it by visiting our website.

Whether it’s Diabetes Awareness Month or not, the Y is here for you, every step of the way!

 

Madeline Kelly, Digital Communications Coordinator

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