Life Research News : Common Myths About Diabetes
Here are five common myths about diabetes, which many people believe to be true. Like all myths, none of these are based on fact.
1: You can catch diabetes from someone else.
This is not true! Diabetes is not contagious. Although there seems to be some genetic link in diabetes, lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise are also important risk factors for diabetics. The good news is that by making changes to their diet and increasing the level of their physical activity, people with pre-diabetes can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.
2: Diabetics can’t eat sweets or chocolate.
Yes they can if they eaten as part of a healthy diet and or combined with exercise. The key point is having a healthy diet.
3: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.
This is not true. Diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. A healthy diet coupled with making simple lifestyle changes can help diabetics to manage their condition and improve their health. Being over weight increases the risk for developing diabetes.
4: People with diabetes should eat special diabetic food.
A healthy diet for diabetics is the same as that for everyone. A diabetic’s diet should be low in fat (especially saturated fat and trans-fats), moderate in salt and sugar, with meals based on whole grain foods, vegetables and fruit. Many dieticians recommend eating five portions of different fruits and vegetables a day.
5: Diabetic food should only contain small amounts of starchy foods.
Starchy foods are part of a healthy diet for diabetics, particularly when eaten in combination with compatible foods.