Did you know that 34 million Americans, or 10.5% of the population, have diabetes or prediabetes? While there’s 34 million people that are being affected each year, many do not know what diabetes/prediabetes means or how it can affect their bodies. There are many factors that can lead to diabetes or prediabetes, but two of the largest are genetics or diet (specifically obesity).

Prediabetes is a medical condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes. More than 1 in 3 American adults (approximately 88 million) have prediabetes.

Type 2 diabetes (previously known as Adult-onset diabetes) is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose) that has been ingested. Type 2 diabetes develops over many years and can sometimes go undiagnosed due symptoms being mild.

This information, and more, can be found on the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) website and in the National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2020.

So now that you know some basic facts, what can be done about diabetes or prediabetes? While there is no “easy fix” when it comes to diabetes, there are some simple things you can do that will help if you’re newly diagnosed, been diabetic for a while, or are implementing some preventative measures. What might one of those be? One word. Peanuts. Below are some facts about peanuts and diabetes:

• Peanuts are low in both glycemic index and glycemic load (both of which measures blood sugar spikes) which means they have very little effect on blood sugar after they are consumed. This is one reason that peanuts are very desirable for a diabetic.
• Peanuts are rich in unsaturated fats (good fats), which are important in a balanced diet, blood sugar, and for heart health.
• Peanuts are rich in essential nutrients – they have 19 vitamins and minerals.
• 1 oz. of peanuts (about 28 nuts) has:
  • 160 calories
  • 7 grams of protein
  • 5 grams of carbohydrates
  • 4 grams of fiber
  • 14 grams of fat

The diet recommended for diabetics is not a “special” diet. It is the same kind of healthful eating plan that is recommended for everybody – high in fiber and low in sugar and fat. To learn more you can visit The Peanut Institute website or the www.gapeanuts.com.