1Run Fights Diabetes Through Education

Learn how we are supporting diabetic Doug Masiuk in his historic run across the U.S. to educate about healthier living and thwarting this epidemic.

This July, Doug Masiuk will begin his historic journey to become the first Type-1 diabetic to run all the way across the United States. Doug and his non-profit organization, 1Run.org opens in a new tab, will fight diabetes by using the run to educate Americans about taking that first step toward healthier living and thwarting this epidemic, which is projected to afflict 1 out 3 people living in the U.S. by 2050. I’m Doug and I’ve had diabetes since I was three. In less than a month, I’m going to start running from San Francisco and four months later I’ll be putting my feet in the Atlantic on the coast of New York. As the first Type-1 diabetic to run across the U.S., I’m terribly proud that Whole Foods Market is sponsoring me and my organization, 1Run.org opens in a new tab.Twenty-eight million Americans suffer from diabetes. Another 35% of adults over 20 years old in the U.S. are pre-diabetic. And those numbers are growing by the minute. Can you imagine a world where one out of every three of us has diabetes? That will be a reality in 2050 if we continue down this road. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

That’s why I’m running, and it’s one of the reasons why Whole Foods was a natural partner to help us make history. We share a commitment to helping people make simple dietary changes that will have great benefits to their health. And as Richard Dreyfus once said, it’s all about the “baby steps.”Diabetes doesn’t discriminate – rich, poor, old, young, and just about every ethnicity. Diet is an important frontline in preventing and managing diabetes We encourage people to eat fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and grains with only limited consumption of meats. According to the American Diabetic Association, “Research supports that following this type of diet can help prevent and manage diabetes.” High fiber diets are lower in saturated fat and cholesterol, and they make you feel full longer. And diets like this also play a role in regulating blood sugar.,

On a personal level, I need to eat good food that will give me the energy I need for my 30-plus mile daily runs. If you watched the 2008 Summer Olympics, you undoubtedly remember the stories of Michael Phelps eating over 10,000 calories a day. I eat over 9,000 calories (and my feet aren’t anywhere near Mike’s size 14s), so when Whole Foods agreed to sponsor the run, I knew that every calorie would be a joy. I love loading up on foods like quinoa, curry apples and sweet potatoes. If I were a kid, the bulk section would definitely be my playground. I grab almonds and dried cherries and tons of other great foods.I couldn’t think of a better group of people to fuel my body and to join me in educating thousands of Americans. In addition to running, we’ll be teaching people about the disease and holding events in cities, schools and select Whole Foods Markets along the way to get people to take that 1st step towards a healthier life and stopping diabetes in its tracks. Follow my progress on our website opens in a new tab, Facebook opens in a new tab and Twitter opens in a new tab and come out to see me at one of our stops.Join 1Run.org and Whole Foods Market as we work to outrun diabetes and make history in the process!

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