Diabetes

Diabetes Myths And Facts

Here are some myth busters that would make you look at diabetes in a different light.

Myth 1:
You can get diabetes from eating too much sugar in childhood.
Diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. However, being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Eating a diet high in fat and sugar can cause you to become over weight, which increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you have a history of diabetes in your family, a healthy diet and regular exercise are recommended to control your weight which would reduce your chances of developing diabetes.

Myth 2:
People with diabetes should eat special diabetic foods.
It is widely believed that people with diabetes can only consume foodstuffs which have been specifically produced for people with the condition, such as 'diabetic' chocolate and sugar-free jelly. A healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is the same as that for everyone - low in fat (especially saturated and trans fat), moderate in salt and sugar, with emphasis on whole grain foods, vegetables and fruit. 'Special' foods offer no special benefit. Furthermore they are more expensive.

Myth 3:
Fruit is a healthy food. Therefore, it is okay to eat as much of it as you wish.
Fruit is a healthy food. It contains fiber and lots of vitamins and minerals. Because fruit contains carbohydrates, it needs to be taken into account in your meal plan. Talk to your dietitian about the amount, frequency and types of fruits you should eat. In fact this holds true for any 'healthy food'. Because many of the so called 'sugar free healthy foods' are commonly believed to be safe and can be taken in any amount. Sugar free does not mean calorie free. It is advisable to keep a check on the calorie product of the food, before consuming it. This will help in keeping a check on the blood sugar.

Myth 4:
My doctor says I have 'borderline' diabetes. Since I have just a 'touch of sugar', I don't have to worry.
By definition, you either have diabetes or you do not have diabetes! Moreover, there is no such thing as Borderline Diabetes. And diabetes is not merely a matter of sugar alone. You can have other associated problems like high blood pressure, lipid abnormalities, etc, which may make you prone to develop complications.

Myth 5:
There is no diabetes in my family, so I don't have to worry.
Diabetes does run in families, but many people diagnosed with the disease have no close family members who have it. Lifestyle, heredity, and possibly other factors may increase risk for the disease. So your weight and lifestyle can be factors in whether you develop diabetes.

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