Diabetes Myths
Myth #1 You can catch diabetes from someone else.
No. Although we don’t know exactly why some people develop diabetes, we know diabetes is not contagious. It can’t be caught like a cold or flu. There seems to be some genetic link in diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle factors also play a part.
Confirmed. No argument from me.
Myth #2 People with diabetes can't eat sweets or chocolate.
If eaten as part of a healthy meal plan, or combined with exercise, sweets and desserts can be eaten by people with diabetes. They are no more “off limits” to people with diabetes, than they are to people without diabetes.
Busted. What do you expect from an organization that is beholden to processed and sugary food interests???
Helloooo, Sugar raises blood sugar. The only exception is sugar free sweets and not all of those are good.Myth #3 Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.
No. Diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. However, being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. If you have a history of diabetes in your family, eating a healthy meal plan and regular exercise are recommended to manage your weight.
Busted. Even if type 2 diabetes (not type 1) is caused solely by obesity (which is debatable), sugar puts on weight, at least for me it does. Plus, if your cells are exposed to chronically high insulin levels, they will rebel and become resistant.
Myth #4 People with diabetes should eat special diabetic foods.
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 meals based on whole grain foods, vegetables and fruit. Diabetic and “dietetic” versions of sugar-containing foods offer no special benefit. They still raise blood glucose levels, are usually more expensive and can also have a laxative effect if they contain sugar alcohols.
Partially confirmed. I agree with the headline and last 2 sentences. A healthy meal plan for diabetics is low in sugar and starch. In case they haven’t noticed, fat (natural) doesn’t raise blood sugar and whole grains do.
Myth #5 If you have diabetes, you should only eat small amounts of starchy foods, such as bread, potatoes and pasta.
Starchy foods are part of a healthy meal plan. What is important is the portion size. Whole grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice and starchy vegetables like potatoes, yams, peas and corn can be included in your meals and snacks. The key is portions. For most people with diabetes, having 3-4 servings of carbohydrate-containing foods is about right. Whole grain starchy foods are also a good source of fiber, which helps keep your gut healthy.
Busted. Even the ADA admits that sugar is no worse than starch in its effect on blood sugar and everyone knows we need starch. I look at it that starch is no better than sugar in its effects and my glucose meter confirms it. Even whole grains jack up my blood sugar. Non starchy vegetables contain much more fiber per carb gram than starchy foods and the vegetable fiber is much better for you than grain fiber.
Myth #6 People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnesses.
No. You are no more likely to get a cold or another illness if you have diabetes. However, people with diabetes are advised to get flu shots. This is because any infection interferes with your blood glucose management, putting you at risk of high blood glucose levels and, for those with type 1 diabetes, an increased risk of ketoacidosis.
Confirmed. Don’t see any reason to disagree.
Myth #7 Insulin causes atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and high blood pressure.
No, insulin does not cause atherosclerosis. In the laboratory, there is evidence that insulin can initiate some of the early processes associated with atherosclerosis. Therefore, some physicians were fearful that insulin might aggravate the development of high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries. But it doesn’t.
Partially Busted. Insulin in itself is not the problem. Without enough insulin, you would die. There is no reason to fear normal levels of insulin or insulin shots if your body doesn’t make enough. The problem is high insulin levels. They cause havoc in your body, harden arteries, jack up blood pressure, increase inflammation, and mess up cholesterol.
Myth #8 Insulin causes weight gain, and because obesity is bad for you, insulin should not be taken.
Both the UKPDS (United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study) and the DCCT (Diabetes Control & Complications Trial) have shown that the benefit of glucose management with insulin far outweighs (no pun intended) the risk of weight gain.
Partially Busted. Again, insulin in itself is not the problem. Without enough insulin, you would die. There is no reason to fear normal levels of insulin or insulin shots if your body doesn’t make enough. The problem is high insulin levels, which cause fat storage. If all your hormones are in balance, you will be okay.
Myth #9 Fruit is a healthy food. Therefore, it is ok 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 carbohydrate, it needs to be included in your meal plan. Talk to your dietitian about the amount, frequency and types of fruits you should eat.
Partially Busted. High sugar fruits are bad. You don’t need no stinkin’ dietician. Test your blood sugar with low sugar fruits to see how they affect you. You may or may not be able to eat them in moderation.
Myth #10 You don’t need to change your diabetes regimen unless your A1C is greater than 8 percent.
The better your glucose control, the less likely you are to develop complications of diabetes. An A1C in the sevens (7s), however, does not represent good control. The ADA goal is less than 7 percent. The closer your A1C is to the normal range (less than 6 percent), the lower your chances of complications. However, you increase your risk of hypoglycemia, especially if you have type 1 diabetes. Talk with your health care provider about the best goal for you.
Partially confirmed. If your blood sugar is elevated, you need to do something. Normal non-diabetics have A1Cs less than 5. The medical establishment’s targets still leave diabetics at more than double the risk for heart disease. Newsflash: If you aren’t consuming mass quantities of carbs and injecting the necessary industrial strength doses of insulin, your chances of hypoglycemia are very small.
