I have
been learning about Diabetes recently and thought this information needs to be
shared! The following is from www.Diabetes.org. They have an
enormous amount of resources for you about the disease, how to manage it and
even how to see if you are on the road to having it!
Myth:
Diabetes is not that serious of a disease.
Fact: Diabetes causes more deaths a
year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Two out of three people with
diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.
Myth: If
you are overweight or obese, you will eventually develop type 2 diabetes.
Fact: Being overweight is a
risk factor for developing this disease, but other risk factors such as family
history, ethnicity and age also play a role. Unfortunately, too many people
disregard the other risk factors for diabetes and think that weight is the only
risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Most overweight people never develop
type 2 diabetes, and many people with type 2 diabetes are at a normal weight or
only moderately overweight.
Myth:
Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.
Fact: No, it does not. Type 1
diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that trigger the onset of
the disease; type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors.
Being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, and a
diet high in calories, whether from sugar or from fat, can contribute to weight
gain. If you have a history of diabetes in your family, eating a healthy
meal plan and regular exercise are recommended to manage your weight.
Myth:
People with diabetes should eat special diabetic foods.
Fact: A healthy meal plan for people
with diabetes is generally the same as a healthy diet for anyone – 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”
foods generally offer no special benefit. Most of them still raise blood
glucose levels, are usually more expensive, and can also have a laxative effect
if they contain sugar alcohols.
Myth: If
you have diabetes, you should only eat small amounts of starchy foods, such as
bread, potatoes and pasta.
Fact: 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.
Myth:
People with diabetes can't eat sweets or chocolate.
Fact: 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.
Myth: You
can catch diabetes from someone else.
Fact: 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.
Myth:
People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnesses.
Fact: 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 illness can make
diabetes more difficult to control, and people with diabetes who do get the flu
are more likely than others to go on to develop serious complications.
Myth: If
you have type 2 diabetes and your doctor says you need to start using insulin,
it means you’re failing to take care of your diabetes properly.
Fact: For most people, type 2
diabetes is a progressive disease. When first diagnosed, many people with type
2 diabetes can keep their blood glucose at a healthy level with oral
medications. But over time, the body gradually produces less and less of
its own insulin, and eventually oral medications may not be enough to keep
blood glucose levels normal. Using insulin to get blood glucose levels to
a healthy level is a good thing, not a bad one.
Myth:
Fruit is a healthy food. Therefore, it is ok to eat as much of it as you
wish.
Fact: Fruit is a healthy food.
It contains fiber and lots of vitamins and minerals. Because fruits
contain carbohydrates, they need to be included in your meal plan. Talk
to your dietitian about the amount, frequency and types of fruits you should
eat.
Did you know that more that one-third of the US population is providing cares for an aging loved one? That number is expected to grow exponentially over the next few years due to the baby-boomer population. If you have already found yourself in a caregiving position, chances are it's just around the corner.
