Celebrities with Diabetes

If you're among the 15 million people who tune in to watch the popular singing reality show American Idol, you'll no doubt catch a glimpse of past judge Randy Jackson coaching the up-and-coming singers to help them find their voice. Jackson has a long history of success in the music business, but what you may not know about him is that he has type 2 diabetes.

An estimated 26 million people in the United States has type 2 diabetes. And another 79 million people are at risk for diabetes. It's a condition that limits your body's ability to regulate blood sugar. And left unchecked can cause obesity, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, poor circulation, blindness, and even death.

When Jackson reached 300 pounds, he experienced some serious health problems that motivated him to change. And now he controls his diabetes by eating healthy foods and getting regular exercise, even though he's still on the road frequently for American Idol. And he's hardly alone when it comes to star-studded celebrities with diabetes. Other famous celebrities with type 2 diabetes include actor Tom Hanks, celebrity Chef Paula Deen, singer Patti LaBelle, and game show host Drew Carey to name a few.

If you have diabetes, maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy foods, and getting regular exercise can make a big difference. When you eat high-fiber foods, and foods with a low-glycemic index (foods that digest slowly), it's easier for your body to regulate insulin and control blood sugar levels. And it's a no-brainer for those with diabetes to avoid or limit sugary foods, and foods made from refined carbohydrates that are rapidly digested and converted to glucose.

If you have diabetes, you may need to take medication. Your efforts to exercise at least 30 minutes a day will help control blood sugar. And eating Diabetic Friendly Meals from MagicKitchen.com will also help you manage your diabetes and eat healthy foods.