1. Avoid Sugars and Refined Carbs: Everyone knows that sugary offerings are not good for the body. Likewise, refined carbs hardly qualify as healthy food, as they have lost most of their vitamins, fiber and minerals through food processing.

When you consume sugars and refined carbs, your digestive system quickly breaks them down into sugar molecules. As a result, your pancreas releases more insulin to transfer this sugar out of the bloodstream. If there is too much sugar in your bloodstream, your body’s insulin will eventually be unable to remove it, leading to the onset of diabetes.

2. Swap Soda for Water: Soda might taste good, but it is positively brimming with sugar. It’s not surprising that studies have linked soda consumption to an elevated diabetes risk. Water, in contrast, is a far healthier option, and may help cut down on your soda urge.

3. Slim Down: There are many reasons to lose weight, given that those who are overweight or obese are at greater risk of a number of serious health problems. Among them is diabetes, as most people who develop type 2 diabetes are significantly overweight. When it comes time for shedding weight, many people have found success by adopting low-carb, Mediterranean or paleo diets.

4. Keep Your Eyes Smaller Than Your Stomach: Aside from picking the wrong kind of foods to eat, Americans have developed a bad habit of simply eating too much at meal time. Aside from expanding your waistline, eating large portions can also spike both your blood sugar levels and diabetes risk.