Busting Diabetes Diet Myths

            There are a number of common misconceptions about diabetes diets. Some people say that consuming too much sugar contributes to diabetes. Others believe that their life is over and they will never be able to enjoy food again due to perceived strict diabetes dieting. Some people feel that there are too many food rules when it comes to setting a diabetes diet. While you do have to watch what you eat, the statements above fall within diabetes diet myth guidelines. Let’s debunk these diabetes diet myths right now.

1. Eating too much sugar contributes to diabetes. This statement is false. While this disease still has some mystery surrounding it, there are some common truths. For example, eating too much sugar does not cause diabetes. Rather, your body cannot properly turn the food you consume into energy in the right way. Your pancreas produces a hormone called insulin which helps the body convert the food you eat into glucose. Glucose is what fuels the body cells. When your pancreas does not make insulin or not enough of it, you can develop diabetes.

2. There are too many guidelines to follow in a diabetes eating plan. This statement is not entirely accurate. While you will have to plan your diet menus, you do have plenty of leeway in regards to what you eat. Each person is different so your food options will depend on the severity of your diabetes, physical fitness level, and the medications you are on. A nutritionist or dietician that specializes in diabetes can help. You will be amazed at the number of foods “allowed” on a diabetes diet.

3. Eating your favorite foods is a thing of the past. Again, you do not have to deprive yourself of your favorite foods for the sake of diabetes. Just change the way you make them. For instance, swap heavy cream and butter for margarine and low fat milk when making fettuccine Alfredo. Fry chicken in the oven using a light olive or canola oil instead of deep fat frying methods. You could even eat your favorite foods only in smaller portions or as a reward for sticking to a healthier diet plan.

4. Carbohydrates should be avoided because they adversely affect blood sugar levels. This statement is true up to a certain point. There are good and bad carbohydrates. The bad carbohydrates do not provide much nutritional value and include refined, processed foods with plenty of fat and sugar content. The good carbohydrates found in healthy diets with plenty of fibrous fruits, whole grains and vegetables are necessary for a stable diabetes diet. These good carbohydrates have the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients for the best nutrition possible.

5. If you take diabetes medication, you can eat whatever you want because it will take care of your health. The truth is medications are just one of many tools that must be used in conjunction with others to simply maintain your health. You cannot eat junk food while taking your diabetes medication and expect your health to be fine. You must choose a healthy diet along with exercise and your medication in order to maintain or even improve your quality of life. What you eat makes a big difference in your dosage of medications for diabetes.
              Having diabetes does not have to be a death knell on how you live your life. With a few lifestyle changes, you can still enjoy life, even cheating every once in a while on your diet. Diabetes myths don’t rule your life – you do.