--- title: "Tips to Take Control: Decrease Your Risk of Diabetes" description: Making changes to your lifestyle could be a huge step towards countering the effects of diabetes and pre-emptive prevention. image: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/c7qCG8rk5IrRSdIlVRT5OYLQRKD_K9wFTA_8z7kdP6-41cn88dd7OpgGSkkBcVLIZN8kSC6dW0SsgoYFJgz7RGAosn_yOMfSU6TQehjtk2Z16nZAoMXZ3jIN0gz7nhTk7S3ydZ2tulmUlwE3hs67Vv0 --- [![](https://usfhp2.knockmedia.dev/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/logo-1.png)](https://blog.usfhp.net/) - [About Us](https://usfhp.net/about/) - [Events & Webinars](https://usfhp.net/events-and-webinars/) - [Contact Us](https://usfhp.net/contact/) [Members](https://member.usfhp.net/) [Providers](https://provider.usfhp.net/) - [Members](https://usfhp.net/members/) - [For Members](https://usfhp.net/members/) - [Members Login](https://member.usfhp.net/) - [Care Management Program](https://usfhp.net/care-management-program/) - [Health Centers](https://usfhp.net/health-centers/) - [Member FAQs](https://usfhp.net/member-faqs/) - [Providers](https://usfhp.net/providers/) - [For Providers](https://usfhp.net/for-providers/) - [Providers Login](https://provider.usfhp.net/) - [Become a Member](https://usfhp.net/eligibility/) - [Eligibility](https://usfhp.net/eligibility/) - [Health Benefit Consultants](https://usfhp.net/health-benefit-consultants) - [Plan Benefits](https://usfhp.net/plan-benefits/) - [Tricare Prime Coverage](https://usfhp.net/tricare-prime-coverage/) - [Enrollment](https://usfhp.net/enrollment/) - [Members](https://usfhp.net/members/) - [For Members](https://usfhp.net/members/) - [Members Login](https://member.usfhp.net/) - [Plan Benefits](https://usfhp.net/plan-benefits/) - [Care Management Program](https://usfhp.net/care-management-program/) - [Health Centers](https://usfhp.net/health-centers/) - [Providers](https://usfhp.net/providers/) - [For Providers](https://usfhp.net/for-providers/) - [Providers Login](https://provider.usfhp.net/) - [Webinars](https://usfhp.net/webinars/) - [Contact](https://usfhp.net/contact/) - [Enrollment](https://usfhp.net/enrollment/) - [About](https://usfhp.net/about/) - [Provider Login](https://provider.usfhp.net/) - [Member Login](https://member.usfhp.net/) ### Contact - - - # Weekly Health Tips # Tips to Take Control: Decrease Your Risk of Diabetes Posted by [USFHP](https://blog.usfhp.net/author/usfhp) on Sep 12, 2023 1:54:52 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) **![ChatGPT Image Mar 26, 2026, 12_14_14 PM](https://blog.usfhp.net/hs-fs/hubfs/ChatGPT%20Image%20Mar%2026%2c%202026%2c%2012_14_14%20PM.png?width=672&height=448&name=ChatGPT%20Image%20Mar%2026%2c%202026%2c%2012_14_14%20PM.png)** Photo by [Pixabay](https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-running-on-side-of-road-235922/)   Whether you are at risk, you’ve been newly diagnosed, or you have been fighting against type 1 or type 2 diabetes over time, making changes to your lifestyle could be a huge step towards countering the effects of diabetes and pre-emptive prevention. **Types of Diabetes** In Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. People with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin or other medications daily. Type 2 diabetes is when your body does not use the insulin produced properly. It is the most common form of diabetes. Another type is gestational diabetes, it develops in pregnant women who have never had the condition. **Lower Your Risk** Fortunately, Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable and Type 1 is manageable. There are many ways to live a healthy, happy life, and keep diabetes under control. 1. ***Keep Weight in Check***- The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes lose at least 7% of their body weight to prevent progression. 2. ***Being Active*** - Physical activity, specific to your muscles, puts less stress on your insulin-making cells and improves ability to use insulin and absorb glucose. According to the[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention](https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevent-type-2/guide-prevent-type2-diabetes.html#moving) (CDC), mild exercises like brisk walking, swimming, or biking reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 3. ***Eat a Healthy Diet*** - Avoid foods that are high in sugar with little fiber or nutrients. Foods high in fiber and foods with unsaturated fats, sometimes called "good fats" lower the risk of diabetes. In addition, limiting alcohol consumption can decrease the risk as well. 4. ***Diabetes Screenings*** - The American Diabetes Association recommends routine screenings for type 2 diabetes for adults 45 or older. It’s beneficial to share your concerns about diabetes with your doctor as they may offer additional suggestions based on your medical history or other factors. **How We Can Help** USFHP’s TRICARE Prime plan offers benefits that support healthy living management. We’ve developed incentive programs that give rewards to our members for meeting certain health goals. The USFHP Care Management Team is designed to support members with individualized care, especially with managing chronic health conditions including diabetes.  The BlueStar app is a quick and easy way to track your meals, glucose levels, exercise, etc. While you are monitoring everything you’ll get real-time feedback on ways to make you feel better and manage your diabetes. Visit the App Store store and download the **BlueStar Diabetes** app. For more information about BlueStar, call 1-888-611-4794. Visit usfhp.net or call 1-800-241-4848 for more information or assistance with the Care Management program.   Topics: [US Family Health Plan](https://blog.usfhp.net/topic/us-family-health-plan), [Diabetes](https://blog.usfhp.net/topic/diabetes) [![](http://usfhp2.test/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Group-1774.png)](https://blog.usfhp.net/) To provide the highest quality health care for uniformed services family members, retirees, and their family members. - - - [Contact Us](https://blog.usfhp.net/) [Member's Portal](https://blog.usfhp.net/) Provider Quick Links - About - Resources - FAQs - Videos [Provider's Portal](https://blog.usfhp.net/) Member Quick Links - [Enroll](http://usfhp2.test/enrollment/) - Benefits - Locations - Webinars --- TRICARE is a registered trademark of the Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency. ©2022 All rights reserved. website by [knockmedia](https://knockmedia.com)