12 Common Misconceptions about Diabetes

Diabetes has a prevalence of 1.3% across the world and India is known to be the “Diabetes capital of the world” due to the highest number of diabetes cases. Extreme lack of awareness about the prevention, management, and existing interventions for diabetes makes this disease a health burden. Another significant barrier to controlling diabetes is the misconception about the disease, which covers all the aspects of diabetes, including prevention, control, and treatment.

Here are 12 common misconceptions about diabetes prevailing in India that you must know:

1. Myth: Diabetes is the result of your eating habits

Truth: Diabetes doesn’t always depend on your eating habits. Instead, it’s your family history of diabetes, your body’s immune response toward insulin-producing cells, and environmental factors responsible for diabetes.

To maintain blood sugar levels, it is always better to upgrade dietary choices and have them balanced to avoid the risk of developing Diabetes.

2. Myth: Only obese are prone to diabetes

Truth: It is true that if you are overweight, then you are more susceptible to diabetes. However, people with high body mass index ( BMI) or obesity don’t always develop diabetes. People with normal BMI or low BMI can also develop diabetes. However, it’s safe to maintain an ideal body weight to lower the risk of diabetes.

3. Myth: Diabetics have to rely on a sugar-free diet

Truth: People with diabetes do not necessarily have to rely on a sugar-free diet. You Can enjoy any food provided you track your glucose levels and have your diet in moderation. Besides, it’s good to keep a good balance in your meals. If you’re having one meal with a high glycemic index, then your other meal should have a low glycemic index.

4. Myth: Diabetics should not eat carbs

Truth: Carbs are an essential part of our diet. They help control blood glucose, regulate insulin metabolism and participate in cholesterol and lipids metabolism. Refined carbs are generally not recommended for people with diabetes. Instead, they should switch to complex carbs that contain more fibre. Some rich sources of complex carbs include apples, broccoli, lentils, spinach, unrefined whole grains, and brown rice. However, you should avoid carbs from carbonated beverages, corn syrup, fruit juices, honey, and table sugar.

Read more – Juices for diabetic patients

5. Myth: Diabetics should not eat sweets

Truth: Diabetics can have sweets as long as they manage blood sugar levels. Binging on sweets occasionally will not harm people with diabetes. Also, you can adjust your insulin doses while having sweets. 

It is best to have natural sweeteners with low glycemic indexes, such as monk fruit, yacon syrup, stevia, allulose, and sugar alcohol.

6. Myth: Diabetes can be cured with herbal remedies

Truth: There’s no permanent cure for diabetes. All the treatments and diets for diabetes can maintain your blood glucose levels to normal but not cure permanently. Herbs and supplements also prove to be the complementary treatment option for diabetes, not a permanent remedy. Though including aloe vera, ginger, cinnamon, gurmar, and methi in your diet can lower your blood glucose levels.

7. Myth: Diabetes treatment can be stopped if diabetes is under control

Truth: A healthy lifestyle and well-balanced diet can help you control your blood sugar levels in range. However, diabetes is an incurable disease, and you’ll have to depend on medicines and treatments, in the long run, to get in the normal blood glucose range.

8. Myth: Diabetics can’t work out

Truth: Diabetes is a progressive disease, and its progression is most commonly associated with physical inactivity. Indulging in physical activity will lower your blood sugar level and make your body more sensitive to insulin. Moderate physical activities such as yoga, cycling, brisk walking, Zumba, and resistance training can help manage blood glucose levels. However, keeping track of your blood glucose levels before and after the workout is good.

9. Myth: Diabetics have to survive on insulin injections

Truth: Insulin injections depend on the type of diabetes you have. If you have type 1 diabetes, your body cannot make any insulin, so you will have to rely on insulin therapy. However, type 2 diabetes can be managed with a healthy diet and physical activities, or your doctor may prescribe oral medicines to control your blood sugar levels. You will need insulin therapy if diet and oral medication do not manage your blood sugar levels.

10. Myth: Insulin can cure diabetes

Truth: Insulin can only help lower the amount of sugar in the blood and reduce the risk factors, but it cannot cure diabetes permanently. Those with type 1 diabetes must take insulin therapy daily to manage their blood glucose levels. It’s always good to speak to your doctor about the dosage and type of insulin you are taking.

11. Myth: Diabetic women can’t conceive

Truth: Women with type 2 diabetes can normally conceive till they have other complications such as PCOS, irregular menstrual cycle, or uterine cancer. Women with type 1 diabetes can also conceive if their blood sugar levels remain consistently normal. Besides, it’s good to consult an endocrinologist or an obstetrician to guide you throughout pregnancy. It’s also recommended to eat healthily, stay active, and keep track of blood sugar levels throughout pregnancy is also recommended.

12. Myth: Diabetics should strictly give up on alcohol

Truth: Too much alcohol can make you susceptible to various health conditions, such as hypertension, stroke, heart disease, liver problems, and digestive issues. However, occasionally drinking a glass or two in diabetes will not cause harm to you till your blood sugar levels are under control. It’s suitable to have low-sugar alcoholic drinks such as beer, red wine, and white wine in moderation.

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Disclaimer: The information given in this article is true to our best knowledge. Still, we recommend that you consult your doctor before taking any diet or treatment for diabetes mentioned in this article.