If you have diabetes, there’s no doubt you have encountered your share of conflicting information. From family members and pals to well-meaning healthcare professionals, it can seem like everyone has an opinion on what you must do to manage your blood sugar. all of these mixed messages can cause confusion and it can be hard to weed out the facts from the myths, but doing so is essential.
The worry here is twofold: First, if you were to listen to every myth and misconception out there on diabetes, you might feel terrified to eat practically any food, leading to a needlessly restrictive diet that falls short on meeting your nutritional needs. In addition, you may be guilted into thinking your diagnosis was somehow your fault, a fallacy that can have a deeply negative impact on your emotional wellbeing.
To break through the noise and get to the facts, we reached out to the experts to debunk some of the most common diabetes myths.
Myth #1: Your type 2 diabetes diagnosis is Camiseta Feyenoord your fault
“Because lifestyle aspects can play a role in type 2 diabetes, people tend to assume they got diabetes because they did something wrong,” describes Mary Ellen Phipps, RDN, author of The easy Diabetes Cookbook. However, this is typically far from the truth. “In some cases, a type 2 diabetes diagnosis Camiseta Selección de fútbol de Francia can come from poor lifestyle choices; however, a lot of of the time it is a combination of factors, some of which may be out of your control,” adds Phillips.
Family history, genetics, stress, and even underlying health conditions and certain medications can all increase the risk of developing diabetes. A diagnosis of the disease must never come with self-judgement.
Myth #2: people with diabetes can’t eat carbs
You’d be hard-pressed to find a person with diabetes who has not been asked at least once, “Are you really going to eat that?” The myth that individuals with diabetes need to avoid all foods consisting of carbohydrates is unfounded, and typically leads to excessively restrictive diets that can be nearly impossible to maintain.
“People typically assume managing carb intake indicates eliminating them, but people with diabetes, just like people without diabetes, need carbs to survive,” describes Phillips. instead of avoiding carbohydrates all together, Phillips advocates for going “smart carb” rather than “low carb”, by focusing on eating carbohydrates from choices that have less of an impact on blood glucose and may offer health benefits.
In fact, research has found eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains such as oats, beans, and lentils may Camiseta Real Madrid help minimize the risk of diabetes while supplying protective benefits to the heart.
Myth #3: only children develop type 1 diabetes and only adults develop type 2 diabetes
Understanding the type of diabetes you have is vital to receiving the best treatment, yet this common myth can typically cause an incorrect diagnosis. “Adults can develop type 1 diabetes, yet lots of adults are misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes simply based on their age, delaying proper treatment for type 1 diabetes,” describes Susan Weiner, RDN, CDCES, and author of Diabetes: 365 ideas for Living Well.
She points out that healthcare professionals need to be careful when diagnosing diabetes and must not prejudge an individual based on body weight and age. just as older individuals can develop type 1 diabetes, children and young adults can also develop type 2 diabetes. working with a healthcare professional specialized in diabetes can help to make sure a right diagnosis and proper treatment options.
When it pertains to managing diabetes, breaking through the myths and getting to the facts is key. always do your homework and check the source to figure out if the information is credible. When in doubt, go over any information or recommendations with your diabetes management team to figure out the best steps to take for your individual treatment plan.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You must not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.
Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, LDN, CPT
Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, CPT is a nationally recognized nutrition, diabetes, and fitness expert who shows busy individuals how to make time for health. She is the founder and owner of the new Jersey-based Vernon Nutrition Center, a nutrition counseling group specializing in weight management, diabetes, and family nutrition. She is the author of multiple publications including the “2 Day Diabetes Diet” (Reader’s Digest), “Love Your Age” (Prevention/Rodale), and the “Belly Fat diet For Dummies” (Wiley). As a frequent media expert, Erin has appeared on broadcast media such as the “The Dr. Oz Show,” “The Doctors,” “The early Show,” and MSNBC, and frequently speaks at conferences and events across the country. Erin was also named one of the ‘Top health Influencers of 2018’ by women fitness Magazine.
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