Loblaw (Real Canadian Superstore) and the Canadian Diabetes Association have partnered for an initiative called Get Checked Now. It’s to encourage Canadians to become aware of the risk factors for developing diabetes and see if they have the disease.

With more than 9 million Canadians living with diabetes or prediabetes, the cost to our healthcare system is over $12.2 billion each year – a figure projected to rise to $16.9 billion by 2020. With more than one million Canadians today living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, the need to identify individuals with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes has never been greater.

The “Get Checked Now” public awareness campaign led by the Canadian Diabetes Association, is aimed at Canadians aged 40 and older and designed to motivate people with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes to proactively improve their health and prevent serious complications by getting checked.

Since I’m now in the “over 40” demographic, and am an active member of Team Diabetes, I figured it was time I went and got myself checked.

My blood sugar reading was 6.2. A reading of 4-7 is considered “normal.” So while I don’t have diabetes, my levels are on the higher side of normal. I should lose 5-10% of body weight and increase my exercise level.

Simple diet changes can help you live healthier. Try to eat more than 25 grams of fibre a day. Stay away from white grains. Make sure your plate is 1/2 filled with vegetables while your protein portions are the size of a deck of cards. It’s all common sense, really.

You can also make simple changes to get more exercise. Things like parking further away from the store door, carrying your groceries instead of using a cart or taking the stairs instead of an escalator.

What about you? Do you have diabetes? Get checked now! Simply make a quick visit to your Real Canadian Superstore pharmacist who will help you with the risk factors and recommend whether or not you should see your doctor for a test.

Buzz

Dad. Broadcaster. Writer.
Three time Guinness World Record Holder.

I run the world for Team Diabetes.