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With diabetes affecting millions of people worldwide, global institutions are raising awareness of the need to make lifestyle changes and take preventive steps. By paying close attention to diet and fitness routines, the onset of this chronic metabolic disease can often be prevented, and complications can be averted, experts have said.
“The earlier we get diabetes under control, the less likely people are to develop complications like heart attacks or strokes,” Dr Hassan Shawa, Acting Chair of the Endocrinology Division at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), told Aletihad during Diabetes Awareness Month.
Addressing diabetes is a national priority in the UAE, with a clear strategy and proactive measures in place to enhance well-being and quality of life. In Abu Dhabi, a smart, data-driven ecosystem enables the health authority to develop a suite of programmes that enable early intervention and improved disease management.
One such initiative is the comprehensive periodic screening programme “Check,” which enables the Department of Health (DoH) to identify high-risk groups and provide them with the necessary guidance.” The DoH also runs a personalised weight management programme, which offers specialised, supervised support to help individuals achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Chairman of the DoH, Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, earlier called on the community to adopt a “prevention-oriented lifestyle.” “Consistent routine check-ups, a healthy diet, and regular physical activity have a direct and profound impact on enhancing their health and quality of life,” Al Mansoori said in a recent report.
Dr Shawa stressed that diabetes is a primary cause of “serious disorders and diseases people could get in their lifetime.”
These include heart attacks, stroke, loss of a foot, blindness, and kidney failure. “That’s why it needs to be addressed and controlled from the beginning,” he said. When it comes to lifestyle management, Dr Shawa reiterated the golden rules of healthy eating, portion control, and regular physical activity.
It is also important to be mindful of consuming sugary drinks. While there are sugar substitutes and zero-calorie beverages, he said moderation is a must. Addressing common misconceptions, he cautioned against relying solely on herbal supplements to manage diabetes. “Some herbal supplements can help slightly, but they will almost never replace the need for medications. Unless in very mild cases, just exercise and diet may suffice.”
Nutrition is one of the strongest foundations of diabetes management, and Dimitrios Spanos, PhD, MSc, RD, Manager of Clinical Nutrition at SSMC, sees every day how powerful the right eating habits can be.
He explained that the core of diabetic nutrition is choosing food items that support stable blood sugar. “People should focus on whole, high-fibre carbohydrates—whole grains, legumes, fruits—rather than refined ones,” he said. For him, the plate is a simple visual tool: more non-starchy vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats, all arranged in balanced portions that keep glucose levels steady.
Spanos often reminds patients that many of the food items they enjoy every day can work either for or against them. Sugary drinks, sweets, fried items, and refined grains make it harder for the body to regulate blood sugar, while water, whole grains, grilled proteins, and fresh fruits offer more supportive choices. “It’s not just about what you remove,” he explained, “but about what you add. A diet rich in fibre, lean protein, and whole grains slows the rise of glucose and improves overall control.”
Meal timing also plays a crucial role. Spanos emphasised that predictable routines help prevent sudden spikes or drops. He encourages patients to plan regular meals, spread carbohydrates throughout the day, and pair food items wisely — combining carbs with protein or healthy fats to slow digestion. Even traditional dishes can be adjusted in a healthy way, like preparing saloona with lean chicken and avoiding potatoes, or choosing whole-grain versions of local staples.
Both experts highlighted that nature provides many foods that support a healthier metabolic response. Spanos noted that vegetables rich in soluble fibre —like okra and spinach—as well as legumes, oats, nuts, seeds, berries, avocado, and fatty fish can all contribute to smoother glucose regulation. Fermented foods such as kefir and Greek yoghurt also help by improving digestion and reducing inflammation.
Medical innovation continues to evolve alongside lifestyle recommendations. Dr Shawa pointed to a breakthrough recently introduced at SSMC: a medication capable of delaying the onset of Type 1 diabetes. “It’s the first time this treatment has been used in the Gulf,” he said. “It offers real hope for children and young adults who are at high risk and may otherwise require insulin early in life.”
Despite advancements, he reiterated what he believes is the core message for awareness: understanding the early signs—excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurry vision—and acting quickly. “If diabetes is uncontrolled for 10 years, even when we try to manage it later, the body remembers those 10 years of damage,” he said.
Source: Aletihad
