Type 2 diabetes is a chronic medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Unmanaged diabetes may lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, and other serious conditions.
Before diagnosis, your blood sugar levels may be high — but not high enough to indicate diabetes. This is known as prediabetes. Taking a test can help you figure out your risk factors for this condition.
It’s estimated that up to 37% of people with untreated prediabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 4 years.
Progressing from prediabetes to diabetes isn’t inevitable. Although you can’t change certain factors like your genes or age, several lifestyle and dietary modifications may reduce your risk.
Here are 11 ways to lower your risk of getting diabetes.
1. Reduce your total carb intake
The quantity and quality of your carb intake are both important factors to consider when making dietary changes to help prevent diabetes.
Your body breaks down carbs into small sugar molecules, which are absorbed into your bloodstream. The resulting rise in blood sugar stimulates your pancreas to produce insulin, a hormone that helps sugar move from your bloodstream into your cells.
In people with prediabetes, the body’s cells are resistant to insulin, so blood sugar remains high. To compensate, the pancreas produces more insulin, attempting to bring blood sugar down.
Over time, this can lead to progressively higher blood sugar and insulin levels until the condition turns into type 2 diabetes.
Many studies link frequent added sugar or refined carb intake and diabetes risk. What’s more, replacing these items with foods that have less of an effect on blood sugar may reduce your risk.
However, all carb sources — not just sugar and refined carbs — stimulate the release of insulin. Although refined carbs are digested more rapidly than complex carbs, there’s mixed evidence that a food’s blood sugar increase is correlated with diabetes risk.
Therefore, managing overall carb intake and choosing carbs that are high in fiber are likely better solutions for preventing diabetes than just limiting highly processed carbs.
Examples of foods and drinks high in added sugars or refined carbs include soda, candy, dessert, white bread, pasta, and sweetened breakfast cereal.
Non-starchy vegetables like broccoli and mushrooms, whole fruit, oatmeal, whole grain bread, and pasta are healthier swaps. These options are higher in fiber, which helps mitigate spikes in blood sugar.
Lean proteins like fish and healthy fats from olive oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds also have less of an effect on blood sugar. They’re great additions to your diet to help prevent type 2 diabetes.
Summary: Eating foods high in refined carbs and sugar increase blood sugar and insulin levels, which may eventually lead to diabetes. Limiting total carbohydrate intake and choosing options that don’t cause blood sugar spikes may help reduce your risk.
2. Exercise regularly
Doing physical activity regularly may help prevent diabetes.
People with prediabetes often have reduced insulin sensitivity, also known as insulin resistance. In this state, your pancreas has to make more insulin to get sugar out of your blood and into cells.
Exercise increases the insulin sensitivity of your cells, meaning that you need less insulin to manage your blood sugar levels.
Many types of physical activity have been shown to reduce insulin resistance and blood sugar in adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. These include aerobic exercise, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and strength training.
Suggested read: How to lower your insulin levels
One study in 29 people with type 2 diabetes found that HIIT, which involves bursts of intense activity followed by brief recoveries, led to improved blood sugar management and longer sessions of endurance training.
However, you don’t need to do HIIT to reap benefits. Short exercise bouts that last as little as 10 minutes, such as brisk walking, are great options. If you’re just beginning an exercise routine, start with short workouts and work up to 150 minutes per week.
Summary: Exercising regularly may increase insulin sensitivity, which may in turn help prevent diabetes.
3. Drink water as your primary beverage
Sticking with water as your drink of choice will help you limit beverages that are high in sugar.
Sugary beverages like soda and sweetened fruit juice have been linked to an increased risk of both type 2 diabetes and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).
One large observational study in 2,800 people found that those who drank more than 2 servings of sugary beverages per day had a 99% and 20% increased risk of LADA and type 2 diabetes, respectively.
In addition, one review found that 1 serving of sugar-sweetened drinks per day may increase the incidence of type 2 diabetes by 18%.
In contrast, increased water intake may lead to better blood sugar management and insulin response.
One 24-week study showed that adults with overweight who replaced diet sodas with water while following a weight loss program experienced a decrease in insulin resistance, fasting blood sugar, and insulin levels.
Summary: Drinking water instead of sugary beverages may help manage blood sugar and insulin levels, thereby reducing your risk of diabetes.
4. Try to lose excess weight
Carrying extra weight may increase your risk of type 2 diabetes.
Suggested read: 13 simple ways to lower your triglycerides
In particular, visceral fat — excess weight in your midsection and around your abdominal organs — is associated with insulin resistance, inflammation, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes.
Notably, losing even a small amount of weight — as little as 5–7% — may help lower your risk of type 2 diabetes if you have prediabetes, are overweight, or obesity.
A randomized, 2-year study in more than 1,000 people at increased risk of type 2 diabetes showed that exercise, diet, and weight-loss interventions significantly reduced the risk of this disease by 40% to 47%, compared with a control group.
Many healthy weight loss strategies exist. Preparing a balanced plate with non-starchy vegetables, lean proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats is a great place to start.
Summary: Modest weight loss may significantly reduce your risk of diabetes, particularly if you have excess abdominal weight.
5. Quit smoking
Smoking has been shown to cause or contribute to many serious health conditions, including heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung and intestinal cancers.
Research also links smoking to type 2 diabetes. While the mechanisms aren’t fully understood, it’s thought that smoking may increase insulin resistance and inhibit insulin secretion.
Plus, heavy, more frequent smoking is linked to a higher risk of diabetes than smoking fewer cigarettes.
Importantly, studies suggest that quitting smoking may reduce diabetes risk.
One large study on more than 53,000 Japanese adults found that diabetes risk in those who smoke decreases over time after quitting. Smoking cessation for 10 or more years may even decrease this risk to about the same level as those who never smoked.
Summary: Smoking, especially heavy smoking, is strongly linked to diabetes risk. Quitting has been shown to reduce this risk over time.
6. Reduce your portion sizes
Eating portion sizes appropriate for your needs may also help prevent diabetes.
Eating too much food at one time has been shown to cause higher blood sugar and insulin levels in people at risk of diabetes.
Conversely, eating smaller portions may lead to reduced calorie intake and subsequent weight loss, which may, in turn, lower your risk of diabetes.
Suggested read: 9 causes of unintentional weight gain
While there are few studies on the effects of portion management in people with prediabetes, research on those with type 2 diabetes offers some insight.
A study in adults with overweight or obesity, including some with type 2 diabetes, found that following a meal plan with portion-managed meal replacements and appropriate portions of other healthy foods led to weight loss and reductions in body fat.
What’s more, guidelines for the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes support portion management as a way to help individuals maintain a healthy weight.
To manage your portion sizes, make your plate half non-starchy vegetables, a quarter lean protein, and a quarter complex carbs like fruit or whole grains. If you’re at a restaurant that serves large portions, choose an appetizer for your main course or ask for a half portion.
Plus, instead of eating snacks straight out of the bag, place your desired amount into a separate dish.
Summary: Avoiding large portion sizes may help reduce insulin and blood sugar levels, promote weight loss, and decrease your risk of diabetes.
7. Cut back on sedentary behaviors
It’s important to avoid sedentary behaviors, such as getting very little physical activity or sitting for most of the day, to help prevent diabetes.
Observational studies consistently link sedentary behavior and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
One study on more than 6,000 older women found that those who had the highest amount of sedentary time per day — 10 or more hours — were more than twice as likely to develop diabetes than those with 8.3 hours or less of sedentary time.
Changing sedentary behavior can be as simple as standing up from your desk and walking around for a few minutes every half hour. Wearing a fitness watch or device that reminds you to walk at least 250 steps per hour may also be helpful.
Still, it can be hard to reverse firmly entrenched habits. One study that gave young adults at risk of diabetes a 12-month program designed to change sedentary behavior found that they hadn’t reduced sitting time.
As such, it’s important to set realistic and achievable goals, such as standing while talking on the phone or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
Summary: Limiting sedentary time, including prolonged sitting, has been shown to reduce your risk of diabetes.
8. Follow a high-fiber diet
Eating plenty of fiber is beneficial for gut health and weight management. It may also help prevent diabetes.
Studies in people with prediabetes and older women with obesity show that this nutrient helps keep blood sugar and insulin levels low.
Fiber can be divided into two broad categories: soluble, which absorbs water, and insoluble, which doesn’t.
Soluble fiber and water form a gel in your digestive tract that slows down food absorption, leading to a more gradual rise in blood sugar. Thus, eating more soluble fiber may reduce fasting blood sugar and insulin levels.
Insoluble fiber has also been linked to reductions in blood sugar levels.
While many studies on fiber and diabetes use fiber supplements instead of high-fiber foods, getting more fiber from foods is likely beneficial.
Summary: Eating a source of fiber at each meal may help prevent spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels, which may reduce your risk of diabetes.
9. Optimize your vitamin D levels
Vitamin D is important for blood sugar management.
Indeed, studies link vitamin D deficiency to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Some studies also show that vitamin D supplements may improve many aspects of blood sugar management in people with prediabetes, compared with control groups.
However, current research is mixed on whether vitamin D supplements prevent the progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes.
Still, maintaining adequate vitamin D levels is important for your health, especially if you’re deficient. Good food sources include fatty fish and cod liver oil. In addition, sun exposure can increase vitamin D levels.
For some people, supplementing with vitamin D daily may be necessary to achieve and maintain optimal levels. Speak with a doctor to get your vitamin D levels checked before starting a supplement.
Suggested read: 11 things that make you gain belly fat
Summary: Eating foods high in vitamin D or taking supplements may help optimize vitamin D levels, which may help reduce your risk of diabetes.
10. Minimize your intake of highly processed foods
Lowering your intake of heavily processed foods benefits several aspects of health.
Many foods undergo some form of processing. Thus, processed foods, which include plain yogurt and frozen vegetables, aren’t inherently unhealthy.
Yet, highly processed foods have undergone significantly more processing and often contain added sugars, unhealthy fats, and chemical preservatives. Examples include hot dogs, chips, frozen desserts, sodas, and candy bars.
Observational research associates diets high in ultra-processed foods with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
Conversely, cutting back on packaged foods that are high in vegetable oils, refined grains, and additives may help reduce your risk of diabetes.
This may be partly due to the anti-diabetes effects of whole foods like nuts, vegetables, and fruits. One study found that diets high in processed foods increased diabetes risk by 30% but that eating nutritious whole foods reduces this risk.
Summary: Minimizing your intake of highly processed foods and focusing on whole foods may help decrease your risk of diabetes.
11. Drink coffee or tea
Although it’s best to make water your primary beverage, research suggests that including coffee or tea in your diet may help you avoid diabetes.
Studies report that daily coffee intake reduces type 2 diabetes risk by up to 54%, with the greatest effect generally seen in people with the highest consumption.
Another study linked daily green tea intake to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
Coffee and tea have antioxidants known as polyphenols that may help protect against diabetes.
It’s best to serve these beverages plain or with a splash of milk. Added sugars and syrups may increase blood sugar levels and detract from their protective effects.
Summary: Drinking coffee or tea may help reduce your risk of diabetes due to their antioxidant compounds.
Prevention tips for parents
Type 2 diabetes in kids is on the rise. If your child is at risk of diabetes, implementing some of the prevention tips from the list above can be helpful.
Suggested read: 15 easy ways to lower blood sugar levels naturally
Yet, some of the above tips, such as drinking coffee and quitting smoking, don’t apply to young children.
Here are some ideas for preventing and managing diabetes that is more specific to kids:
- Get more active together. Encourage playing outside, trips to the park, walking the dog, or games between siblings. You can also facilitate family walks or hikes so that everyone stays active together and your child doesn’t feel singled out.
- Offer nutritious snacks. Provide snacks that are high in fiber and low in added sugars or refined carbs. Swap ultra-processed options like chips and candy for fresh fruit with nut butter, veggies with bean dip, smoothies, yogurt parfaits, or whole wheat pita pizzas.
- Limit screen time. Set a limit for your child’s daily amount of screen time, which includes sitting in front of the computer or TV. Encourage other activities like playing outside or doing arts and crafts. Eat meals as a family instead of in front of the TV.
Summary: Many of the tips on the list above apply to preventing diabetes in kids. Parents can facilitate other healthy behaviors by encouraging exercise, offering nutritious foods, and limiting screen time.
Summary
When it comes to preventing diabetes, there are many steps you can take.
Rather than viewing prediabetes as a stepping stone to diabetes, it may be helpful to see it as a motivator for making changes that can help reduce your risk.
Eating the right foods and adopting other lifestyle behaviors that promote healthy blood sugar and insulin levels will give you the best chance of avoiding diabetes.
