All Of The Answers Are False! Myths About Diabetes

1. There are no “off-limit” foods for people with diabetes. Sweets and desserts can be eaten in moderation as part of a healthy meal and exercise plan.

2. Sugar or other foods can’t cause diabetes. You also can’t catch diabetes from someone else, like you catch a cold. The cause of diabetes rests with 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, it is wise to eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise to reduce your risk.

3. Diabetic and “dietetic” foods offer no special benefit. They can raise blood glucose levels, are usually more expensive and may have a laxative effect. The healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is the same as for everyone else: low in fat (especially saturated and trans fat), and moderate in salt and sugar, with meals based on whole-grain foods, vegetables and fruit.

4. Starchy foods are part of a healthy meal plan. Just be careful about portion size. Whole-grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice and starchy vegetables like potatoes, yams, peas and corn should be included in your meals.

5. People with diabetes are no more likely to get the flu than anyone else. However, people with diabetes are advised to get flu shots because any infection can increase blood glucose levels and make diabetes management more difficult.

6. Insulin does not cause atherosclerosis. There was some laboratory research that suggested otherwise and some physicians were fearful that insulin might aggravate the development of high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries, but it doesn’t.

7. Study after study has shown that the benefit of glucose management with insulin far outweighs the risk of weight gain. If you need it, take it.

8. Fruit is good for you, containing fiber and lots of vitamins and minerals, so you should include some in your meal plan. But many fruits are high in sugar content and can increase blood glucose levels. Fruit should be eaten in moderation as part of a healthy meal plan.

9. The ADA goal is an A1C less than 7 percent, and some other organizations recommend as low as 6.5 percent. An A1C in the sevens does not represent good control. The lower your A1C, the less your chances of complications.

By: Maria Gough

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Maria Gough is a Nurse Manager at the Diabetes Care Center, Baptist Hospital. Baptist Health South Florida is the largest faith-based, not-for-profit health care organization in the region, with an outstanding reputation for medical and service excellence.