As of October 2022, over 37.3 million people have diabetes—that's 11.3% of the US population according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“From 2001 to 2020, diabetes prevalence significantly increased among US adults 18 or older.
- 37.3 million people have diabetes—that’s 11.3% of the US population.
- 28.7 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes.
- 8.5 million people who have diabetes have not been diagnosed and do not know they have it.”
The increase in diabetic patients in the US has risen significantly over the past decade. The number one cause of diabetes is obesity. According to Healthify.us, “when people are overweight, there is added pressure on their body to use insulin to control blood sugar levels, making it more likely to develop the disease.”
Americans of all ages have what doctors call "Prediabetes". Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Prediabetes greatly boosts a person's odds for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The vast majority of cases of diabetes are type 2, which develops when the body's cells gradually lose sensitivity to insulin. According to experts, there's one very big reason for type 2 diabetes' continuing rise among Americans -- weight gain.
Avoiding this fate can be difficult when so many of the products, beverages, and foods sold in stores and restaurants are loaded in calories and sugars of all kinds.
Making small changes in your lifestyle can help you in the long term like switching the sugar in your coffee with an alternative sugar, like Allulose, this is considered a rare sugar and low in calories, plus has the added benefit that in some cases has little to no effect on blood sugar levels.
Some other sustainable changes can be done like eating yummy dessert alternatives like the gourmet style protein bars or the delicious irresistible protein cookies, which can satisfy your sweet tooth and provide the extra protein and nutrients your body needs. Whether you’re a part of that 11.3% or not, we want to make sure that you are provided with a nutritious and delicious substitution to help you continue eating and living SMART and guilt free.