Get the facts about diabetes
If you eat a healthy diet, do some enjoyable physical activity and take medications as prescribed, you can prevent or delay complications related to diabetes.
By Shalini Chalana, MS, MEd, RDN, CDE.
When you have diabetes, it means that your blood sugar (glucose) is too high. Usually, a hormone known as insulin helps to convert food into energy, but when an individual has diabetes, the body doesn't make enough insulin. When diabetes is untreated, it can cause risky health issues to your kidney, nerves, and heart.
There is no specific cure for diabetes, but a healthy lifestyle can help lower risk of complications. Small lifestyle changes, like eating healthy, exercise, taking medications, and meeting with your doctor, can help manage or prevent diabetes. More than 30 million people in the United States have the disease, but one out of every four people don’t know they have it quite yet.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month and a perfect opportunity to get the facts about the disease and debunk a few common myths.
- Myth #1: Eating too much sugar can cause diabetes.
- Fact: Drinking sugary drinks like soda, fruit punch and Gatorade is linked to Type 2 diabetes, but Type 2 is caused by both genetic and lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise, excessive weight or obesity, and processed food intake.
- Myth #2: People with diabetes need to eat differently from those without diabetes.
- False: There is no special diet for people with diabetes. A healthy meal plan containing whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and healthy fats should be eaten by everyone.
- Myth #3: If you have diabetes you cannot eat chocolate, potatoes, rice or pasta.
- False: All foods are permitted but portion size is key. Ask your primary care doctor to refer you to a CHA registered dietitian who can help you learn about portion sizes and how to better manage your diabetes. There is strong evidence that medical nutrition therapy provided by a dietitian is an effective therapy in the management of diabetes.
- Myth #4: Diabetes is not that serious a disease.
- Fact: If you manage your diabetes, eat a healthy diet, do some enjoyable physical activity and take medications as prescribed, you can prevent or delay complications related to diabetes.
Disclaimer
This articles provide general information for educational purposes only. The information provided in this article, or through linkages to other sites, is not a substitute for medical or professional care, and you should not use the information in place of a visit, call consultation or the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider.