Fight Diabetes and Heart Disease with Healthier Options at Work
The Link Between Diabetes and Heart Disease
November is American Diabetes Month. In partnership with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, this year’s iteration raises awareness of the link between diabetes and heart disease.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the longer a person has diabetes, the higher their chances of developing heart disease—the leading cause of death in the U.S. This, according to the institute, is the fault of increased blood glucose from diabetes damaging the vessels and nerves that control the heart. Eating healthy and exercising go a long way in managing diabetes and preventing heart disease.
But let’s face it: eating healthy can be hard. And eating healthy at work can be even harder. With looming deadlines, endless meetings and an overflowing inbox of emails to respond to, it’s easy to forgo lunch in lieu of a trip to the office candy jar. A Healthy YOU Vending machine in the workplace promotes wholesome dietary choices that can help prevent heart disease and manage diabetes.
The fact is, diabetes impacts 1 out of every 7 Americans—and many don’t even know they have it. That’s not according to us, but to a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report indicates that more than 30 million Americans have diabetes.
Two types of diabetes exist, but, according to the American Diabetes Association, about 95 percent of cases are Type 2. Why is this significant? Because Type 2 diabetes is often—although not always—tied to lifestyle factors like weight and diet. Eating healthy and exercising regularly can actually help to prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes altogether.
Type 1 diabetes is a different matter. It can come on seemingly randomly, and at a young age—although some may be genetically predisposed. So, while Type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented, it can and should be managed through eating healthy, exercising regularly and working closely with a healthcare provider to determine an effective insulin routine.
Now, about the link between diabetes and heart disease. According to the CDC, 610,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. every year. Perhaps an even more sobering statistic is that number represents 1 in every 4 deaths in America. Adopting a healthy diet is critical to avoid Type 2 diabetes, manage Type 1 diabetes and minimize the associated risk of developing heart disease.
How can Healthy YOU Vending Help?
A Healthy YOU Vending machine simplifies the decision to eat well in the workplace by providing wholesome snacks, drinks and entrées—all just a stone’s throw from your work area. We offer healthy-diet staples like low-sodium and low glycemic index snacks, drinks and entrées.
According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, about 9 in 10 cases of Type 2 diabetes in the U.S. can be avoided by making lifestyle changes. In fact, losing 7 to 10 percent of your current weight can cut your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes in half. The school suggests implementing the following dietary changes to lose weight:
- Choose whole grains instead of other highly processed carbohydrates
- Skip sugary drinks; choose water, coffee or tea instead
- Choose healthy fats
- Limit red and processed meat consumption; choose nuts, beans, whole grains, poultry or fish instead
Healthy YOU Vending machines provide access to wholesome snacks like nuts, seeds and non-processed nutritional bars—along with a variety of healthy drinks. And our SmartMart side unit can dispense low-sodium, delicious entrées like soups and whole-grain dishes.
Healthy YOU Vending machines can be found throughout the country in offices, gyms, hotels, schools and more. To find an independent Healthy YOU Vending operator near you, contact us at 877-804-6523, or to request a machine in your place of work, simply fill out the form here and start reducing your employees’ chances of developing diabetes and heart disease.