Editor's note: Teressa Siu is a TV host, International Wellness Speaker and Lifestyle Educator. The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

As cases of diabetes in China escalate exponentially and with the disease troubling and ailing the younger population, the family as a whole must adopt lifestyle changes in order to prevent the onset of the disease.

Food Matters

Food as functional medicine is widely recognized in the western world as a lifestyle alternative to better health and prevention. Food therapy in Chinese medicine has also been practiced over thousands of years. 

Modern day wellness practitioners advocate diet change as a form of prevention. Plant-based natural whole foods are scientifically proven to reverse certain health conditions such as diabetes.

To tackle food's matter in diabetes, let's dissect traditional Chinese diet and contemporary preferences. Either and both combined consists of refined carbohydrates that can translate into glucose and the body's response to insulin levels. Western-influenced food choices such as burgers and pasta account for more carbohydrate intake.

A diabetic who relies on traditional Chinese staples of rice, noodles and porridge face severe consequences. Most people are unaware of the hours required to boil white rice into congee actually enhances the level of glucose and therefore can affect the patient's response to insulin.

It's safe to observe that refined carbohydrates are easily accessible in the Chinese diet – from the various forms of rice, noodles, dumplings, dim sum – all the way from breakfast, lunch, dinner to dessert.  And of course, there are the sticky rice options, which are also high in carbs and sugar.

If glucose is the catalyst, then sugar is the real enemy. Chinese desserts, especially in the southern provinces, are common, where many dishes and delicacies are prepared with white sugar.

We have yet to mention convenient and packaged foods. It's uncommon for most to think that plants and vegetables contain sugar. But we can safely say, as scientists have proven, that natural sugars are the healthier choices.

Choice Matters

Now that we have the whole picture, what are the options to enhance our nutrition and to eat better to prevent diabetes?

Try whole grains such as millet, quinoa and brown rice, which are readily available in China. These options are filling and tasty. Besides, you can enjoy your traditional foods in moderation, guilt-free.

Balance your diet with green leafy and colorful vegetables, training your body to rely on good fats instead of carbohydrates, considering green vegetables with little sugar, and considering alkaline fruits such as berries.

Moving Matters

Get moving, as they say. China's younger population, like their peers around the world, can be easily tied down to a sedentary lifestyle due to social media. Real human interaction and movement are limited.

As President Xi Jinping has urged, everyone should get out of their seats and move. Physical movement and exercises are known to reduce stress and increase metabolism, which can certainly complement a clean and healthy diet for good health and disease prevention.

Love Matters

As in most cases, changes within the family setting could be difficult, especially when it comes to food because people love to eat and food can be irresistible. 

It is highly recommended that families work as a team to tackle food matters such as considering new food choices a plus rather than a minus, and eating together as a form of support and love in order to help maintain a healthy diet.

All things considered, prevention against diabetics can be easily achieved in China, with a wide variety of vegetable and fruits from all over the world readily available.

Culturally, families enjoy cooking together and restaurant choices are abundant. It really boils down to adapting to changes and understanding that better food and lifestyle changes could make a world of difference in one's health.

China's fight against diabetes may be a long one and, much education is still required through government, public and private sectors. However, families and individuals must take responsibility for their own health through simple, accessible and feasible lifestyle adaptions.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com.)