Do not die from diabetes.

Research shows that children and adults who follow a plant-based diet have lower BMIs—the lowest BMIs are attributed to those who follow a vegan diet. In general, consuming large amounts of saturated fat, which is found in high levels in meats but low levels in plant-based foods, contribute to a high BMI.

Specifically, eating a significant amount of legumes has been associated with low BMIs and a low risk of obesity (the number one risk factor for diabetes).

1. Keep your children’s BMI under 25.
   You can calculate your children’s BMI with the following formula:
   (Weight in pounds x 703) / height in inches / height in inches.
   You can keep your children’s BMI under 25 by ensuring they eat a plant-based diet (vegan diets have been found to be the most effective).

2. Eat more legumes.
   Legumes include beans, split peas, chickpeas, and lentils.

3. Do your best to avoid undergoing gastric bypass surgery.
   Gastric bypass surgery reduces the size of the stomach by at least 90%. Although it has a successful long-term remission rate of 83%, there are major risks associated with the surgery, including bleeding, leakage, infections, herniation, and nutritional deficiencies.