The most common symptoms are tingling in the hands and feet and sensory abnormalities. As the nerves are damaged, the soles of the feet feel like they are burning or have a constant prickling sensation. Blood circulation also worsens, making it difficult for small wounds to heal, and in severe cases, the skin can necrotize and lead to amputation.

Vision is also at risk. When the tiny blood vessels in the eyes are damaged, vision becomes blurry, and it can ultimately lead to blindness. The kidneys also quietly deteriorate. Initially, it may only feel like a change in urine output, but at some point, the kidneys can fail to function properly, leading to the need for dialysis.

With weakened immunity, infections can occur easily, and recovery is slow. The saying that diabetes is scary is not without reason; when it becomes severe, the body shows it directly.

To prevent this frightening diabetes, we will look at what foods to be careful about and what eating habits to maintain.

The food culture in America is quite different from that in Korea, so while living as an immigrant, it is easy to encounter more calories and sugars than usual. Therefore, if you are not careful, blood sugar can spike quickly, making it really important to be aware and manage it in advance.

First, looking at the common foods eaten in America, fast food like hamburgers, pizza, chicken wings, and French fries come as a basic set. These foods are high in saturated and trans fats and are generally high in calories, which can easily worsen insulin resistance.

When combined with white bread, pasta, and sugary drinks, blood sugar can rise rapidly. It feels like the body reacts much faster than when living in Korea, so caution is essential.

On the other hand, there are also foods that can help prevent diabetes that are readily available in America. Vegetables are fundamental, and especially green leafy vegetables or vegetables like broccoli and spinach, which have a low impact on blood sugar, should be consumed regularly.

Foods that are low in fat and high in protein, such as chicken breast, turkey, and fish, also help with blood sugar control. Additionally, replacing white rice or white bread with whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal, or quinoa can prevent blood sugar from spiking.

Whole grains are high in fiber, which slows digestion and has the advantage of raising blood sugar slowly. Legumes like lentils or chickpeas are also easily available anywhere in America, making them perfect for diabetes management.

Foods to be cautious about include processed foods high in sugar, sodium, and unnecessary fats, as well as sweetened beverages.

Sodas, energy drinks, and sugary juices can cause blood sugar to spike even with just one cup. When thirsty, switching to water or unsweetened tea is much better. Also, American breads are made with refined flour, which is not good for blood sugar, so choosing whole grain products is safer.

Korean food generally uses a lot of vegetables and seafood and is relatively low in calories, making it quite favorable for diabetes prevention. Foods like kimchi, namul, and doenjang jjigae are helpful for health management.

However, foods concentrated in carbohydrates, like bibimbap, tteokbokki, and jeon, can quickly raise blood sugar, so portion control is necessary. Additionally, Korean seasonings are often high in sodium, which can lead to issues like high blood pressure, so this aspect also needs attention.

Lifestyle habits are also very important. In America, the portion sizes are so large that it is easy to overeat with just one poorly chosen meal. Developing a habit of eating smaller portions and maintaining regular meal intervals can help reduce blood sugar fluctuations.

Moreover, as important as diet is exercise and stress management. Regular walking or light exercise can greatly assist in blood sugar control.

To prevent diabetes in America, it is important to avoid processed foods and high-sugar beverages and to focus the diet on vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat high-protein foods. By preserving the good aspects of Korean food and moderating foods that are too high in carbohydrates, a much healthier lifestyle can be achieved.