According to the American Diabetes Association, 1.5 million people will be diagnosed with diabetes this year. Being diagnosed with diabetes can feel overwhelming, but understanding some of the myths surrounding being newly diagnosed can help put your mind at ease and offer a starting line for action.
Myth 1: People with diabetes should avoid all carbs.
Carbohydrates do raise blood sugar (otherwise known as blood glucose) levels as they are broken down by the body into a type of sugar called glucose, but they also provide essential energy your body needs. Carbohydrates are present in a variety of foods, including fruits, milk-dairy foods, starches and vegetables, each of which is an important food that provides nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. Avoiding all carbohydrates is not necessary; rather, it’s all about balance. A registered dietitian nutrition can help determine the amount of carbs you should eat at meals and snacks so you can balance it throughout the day.
Myth 2: Diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar.
This isn’t necessarily the case. Diabetes is a chronic disease that is showcased by high blood glucose (sugar) levels, and results from the body’s inability to produce insulin or respond to high blood glucose levels efficiently. Insulin responds to high blood glucose levels by removing the sugar from the blood and bringing it into the body. Although eating sweet food doesn’t necessarily cause diabetes, eating a lot of added sugar and fatty foods can lead to obesity, which does increase the risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, on the other hand, occurs due to varying factors that could include genetics and some viruses.
Myth 3: You need special food if you have diabetes.
Although people with diabetes may purchase sugar alternatives and sugar-free candy, that doesn’t mean they can’t also eat mainstream food. In addition, people with diabetes may choose to buy cakes, chocolate and cookies marketed for people with diabetes since they are sugar-free, but that isn’t necessarily the healthiest choice, as many of these products are high in artery clogging saturated fat (not to mention they cost a pretty penny). If you have diabetes, you can opt to make your own healthier version of the foods you love or have a small portion of standard foods you enjoy on occasion.
Myth 4: People with diabetes can’t eat fruit.
Fruit contains natural sugar but it also provides a plethora of important nutrients your body needs and can easily be incorporated into a balanced diet for a person with diabetes. In my book "Create Your Plate Diabetes Cookbook", I describe the diabetes plate method, in which half your plate is low-carb vegetables, one-quarter of your plate is protein, and the other quarter should be filled with either starches, dairy foods or fruit. If you find your blood sugar is higher than you would like, look at cutting back on other sources of added sugar before placing all the blame on fruit.
Myth 5: Amputations are inevitable for people with diabetes.
There are several long-term effects of uncontrolled blood sugar, including increased risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, blindness and nerve damage that can lead to amputations. However, if someone with diabetes properly manages their blood sugar over time, it can help decrease the risk of these long-term effects, including amputation. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, lower limb amputations have decreased by more than 50 percent over the last 20 years, a stat that's likely due to better education and awareness. In addition to healthy lifestyle habits, people with diabetes to have regular check-ups and have their feet, eyes and kidneys regularly monitored to ensure their risk is minimal.
The Bottom Line:
There is a lot of misinformation swirling about diabetes which can be overwhelming to someone newly diagnosed. Seeking the help of a registered dietitian nutritionist who is a certified diabetes educator can also help you get all the facts and the individual attention you need to get your blood sugar under control and figure out the best plan of action for both your plate and your overall health.
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