Dr. Oyinkansola Awodiya, MD, is an internal medicine physician who works as a travel doctor in both hospital and virtual settings. She helps people to prevent and manage chronic diseases through lifestyle and holistic medicine.
“As a travel doctor, I travel to different states to fill in when there’s a need, when a doctor is out sick, on maternity leave, or when hospitals experience surges or staffing shortages,” Dr. Awodiya stated.
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Since she has worked in numerous hospitals and states, Dr. Awodiya has seen firsthand how widespread diabetes has become.
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Dr. Awodiya mentioned that some people are informed that they have diabetes in the emergency room because they do not have access to a primary care doctor or regular checkups.
“Many people discover they have diabetes only after being admitted for a stroke, heart attack, or other complications. Often, they haven’t seen a primary care physician in years. But beyond lack of access, many of these cases are linked to lifestyle choices such as a high-sugar diet, processed foods, stress, and inactivity that slowly lead to insulin resistance and diabetes over time.”
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-2{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-2{min-height: 90px;}}Doctors normally screen for diabetes as a part of routine preventive care. They check for it yearly in all adults and more often if someone is at risk.
“For example, if you already have diabetes, we check labs every three months. If you’re prediabetic, we usually check every six months. If you have risk factors (family history, obesity, high blood pressure, PCOS, etc.), we start screening even earlier. If your blood sugar is high, we order a Hemoglobin A1c test to measure your average blood sugar over the past three months,” said Dr. Awodiya.
She further explained that there are differences between prediabetes, Type 1, and Type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet diabetic.
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-3{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-3{min-height: 90px;}}Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, usually diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood, where the pancreas cannot produce insulin. These patients need insulin therapy for life.
Type 2 diabetes is when your body still makes insulin but becomes resistant to it. It is often seen later in life and is strongly linked to lifestyle factors like diet, inactivity, and chronic stress.
Poor diet, especially high in sugar and refined carbs, lack of exercise, chronic stress, and poor sleep can all lead to insulin resistance, which increases the risk for Type 2 diabetes. These are all modifiable risk factors that can be improved through lifestyle changes.
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-4{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-4{min-height: 90px;}}Weight management is key to managing diabetic conditions.
“As you lose weight, your body’s insulin sensitivity improves, meaning your cells respond better to insulin. Even a small amount of weight loss (5–10% of your body weight) can significantly lower your risk for developing diabetes or help improve blood sugar control if you already have it,” Dr. Awodiya stated.
Food is one of the most powerful forms of medicine, according to the travel doctor.
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-5{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-5{min-height: 90px;}}“In culinary medicine, we look at your personal and family risk factors for diabetes and create a plan to help prevent it through better food choices. While Type 1 diabetes is genetic, patients can still improve their blood sugar control and overall well-being through diet. I always tell patients a diagnosis is not the end of your life. It’s an opportunity to find purpose, healing, and balance through food and lifestyle changes,” said Dr. Awodiya.
Certain foods cause blood sugar spikes, while others keep it stable.
“By understanding how to pair foods (like eating protein and fiber before carbs) and focusing on whole, nutrient-dense meals, people can improve their energy, mood, and even reduce medication needs over time,” Dr. Awodiya added.
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-6{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-6{min-height: 90px;}}The doctor recommends that diabetics eat a balanced, whole-food diet that focuses on lean proteins (fish, chicken, tofu, eggs), healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts), and high-fiber foods (vegetables, legumes, whole grains).
“Limit sugar and processed foods. The American Diabetes Association offers excellent meal-planning tools and recipes atwww.diabetes.org/healthy-living.”
Foods with a high glycemic index cause rapid spikes in blood sugar. These include candy; pastries; cookies; white rice; white bread; refined pasta; and sweetened drinks. During the holiday season, practice portion control and enjoy your favorite dishes in moderation.
“Eat protein first; it helps stabilize blood sugar before carbs. Choose high-fiber sides such as roasted vegetables or salads, instead of heavy starch. Limit sweets or swap for fruit-based desserts or dark chocolate in moderation. Stay hydrated and avoid sugary drinks or too much alcohol,” Dr. Awodiya advised.
Visitwww.ohonayhealth.comto learn more about Dr. Awodiya and her virtual services.
