“Eating habits must be controlled daily through balanced meals.”Medan (ANTARA) - Diabetes can be prevented through a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, according to Dharma Lindarto, a professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU).
Speaking on Tuesday, he stressed the critical role of nutrition in diabetes prevention—even after early symptoms appear.
“This disease can actually be prevented, even when symptoms have begun, because nutrition plays a very important role,” he said.
Dharma warned against overeating and poor diet, which often lead to overweight or obesity — major risk factors for diabetes.
“Eating habits must be controlled daily through balanced meals,” he added.
He recommended that about 50 percent of a meal come from carbohydrate sources like rice, potatoes, or sweet potatoes, while the rest should include fiber-rich vegetables and fruits.
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He also advised eating before feeling too hungry and stopping before becoming overly full, as hunger can lead to overeating.
“Cooking methods matter too. Boiling is better than frying, which adds excess fat,” he noted.
Alongside proper nutrition, Dharma urged at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity — such as walking or jogging—to help prevent diabetes.
He also emphasized regular blood sugar monitoring. Pre-meal blood sugar should be below 100 mg/dL, while readings above 125 mg/dL may signal early diabetes.
If unmanaged, diabetes can damage vital organs, including the heart, lungs, and kidneys, and raise the risk of stroke.
“In such cases, patients must routinely see diabetes specialists and take their medication as prescribed,” he said.
M. Aron Pase, chairman of the Indonesian Diabetes Association (Persadia) Medan, added that one in every four adults aged 25 to 40 is diagnosed with diabetes.
“North Sumatra ranks 10th nationally, and Indonesia has one of the world’s highest diabetes rates,” he said.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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