6 Myths About Type 2 Diabetes
Let’s clear up some of the most common myths and misunderstandings about Type 2 diabetes, a disease that affects one in ten American adults.
Type 2 diabetes affects one in ten American adults—that’s 30 million people. A quarter of these don’t even realize they have the disease! And for every person with Type 2 diabetes, there are two more who are considered prediabetic, meaning their blood sugar levels are in the high-normal range.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with diabetes, you probably have a lot of questions. In this article, I’ll clear up some of the most common misunderstandings, and answer the following questions people often ask.
- Do all Type 2 diabetics need to take medication?
- Can diabetics eat fruit?
- How much carbohydrate can Type 2 diabetics eat?
- If I’m on medication for diabetes, can I eat what I want?
- Can you reverse Type 2 diabetes with diet?
What is Type 2 diabetes?
In Type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. As a result, your blood sugar stays too high.
In old medical texts, you’ll often see Type 2 diabetes referred to as Adult Onset Diabetes, because this condition usually developed in midlife. Unfortunately, as childhood obesity rates have increased, Type 2 diabetes is now routinely diagnosed in kids. The earlier someone develops diabetes, the more likely it is that they will eventually experience serious complications.
People can live long and healthy lives with diabetes if they take proper care of themselves. In many cases, it’s even possible to reverse the disease.
Having Type 2 diabetes increases your risk for heart disease, blindness, nerve damage, and kidney damage—especially if your disease is poorly managed. However, people can live long and healthy lives with diabetes if they take proper care of themselves. In many cases, it’s even possible to reverse the disease.
Let’s take a look at the most common myths and misunderstandings about Type 2 Diabetes.
Myth #1: All people with Type 2 diabetes will need to take insulin or other anti-diabetic drugs for life
This is not true. Many newly diagnosed diabetics will not have to take medication at all if they make appropriate lifestyle modifications such as managing their diet, exercising, and losing weight if they need to. Even diabetics who are currently taking medications can sometimes reduce or even eliminate their need for these medications by losing weight and managing their diet better. You shouldn’t discontinue medications without checking with your doctor, of course. But this is a real possibility.
Myth #2: Diabetics shouldn’t eat fruit
Fruit does contain sugar and carbohydrates, which do affect your blood sugar levels. This leads many to assume that it’s off limit for diabetics. But fruit can be a very healthy part of your diet, even if you are diabetic. Fruit contains a lot of valuable nutrients and has a milder effect on blood sugar than other types of sweets. A healthy diabetic meal plan might contain two or three servings of whole fruit each day.
Fruit contains a lot of valuable nutrients and has a milder effect on blood sugar than other types of sweets.
Myth #3: Diabetics only need to pay attention to carbohydrates, not protein or fat
Carbohydrate-rich foods have the most dramatic effect on blood sugar. These are foods like breads, cereal, pasta, rice, potatoes, and desserts. If you’re diabetic, you’ll definitely need to watch these types of foods. But you need to pay attention to the rest of your diet, too.
If you’re eating too many calories, even if they’re not coming from carbohydrates, it’s going to make it hard for you to maintain your weight and that’s going to make it hard to manage the disease.
Myth #4: People with Type 2 diabetes have to eat a low carbohydrate diet
Diabetes can be successfully managed on a higher or lower carbohydrate diet. In fact, for decades, the American Diabetes Association recommended that Type 2 diabetics eat a low fat diet, which tends to be higher in carbohydrates. But many studies have now demonstrated that lower-carbohydrate diets can be very effective in helping diabetics lose (or maintain) weight and improving insulin sensitivity.
It’s not a one size fits all prescription.
The key is to find the approach that works for you—and not just in terms of your health but also your lifestyle and food preferences. If you’re diabetic and you’ve had trouble losing weight or managing your blood sugar on a traditional, moderate-carbohydrate diet, it’s possible that a lower-carb approach would work better for you. It’s not a one size fits all prescription.
Myth #5: If I’m using insulin or antidiabetic medications, I can eat what I want
Many people believe that if they’re taking a medication to control their diabetes, then they don’t need to pay attention to their diet. This is such a dangerous misconception!
Your first line of defense against complications of diabetes is eating right, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Even if you’re using anti-diabetic medication, your first line of defense against complications of diabetes is still going to be eating right, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight. Medications, when needed, are used in addition to—not instead of—these lifestyle habits. If you’re not managing your diet and your weight, you’ll need more medication to manage your blood sugar.
Do everything you can to live a healthy lifestyle. Your medication will work better for you, and you’ll be healthier in the long run.
Myth #6: People with “prediabetes” (or a family history of Type 2 diabetes) always eventually end up with full-blown Type 2 diabetes
Fortunately, this is not true. If your doctor has told you that your blood sugar levels are borderline or that you have prediabetes, consider it a wake-up call. If you get serious about losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising, you can very likely avoid developing diabetes.
For more information about preventing and managing Type 2 diabetes with diet, see also:
What is High Glucose?
Can You Reverse Diabetes with Diet?
You May Also Like…
About the Author
Monica Reinagel is a board-certified licensed nutritionist, author, and the creator of one of iTunes’ most highly ranked health and fitness podcasts. Her advice is regularly featured on the TODAY show, Dr. Oz, NPR, and in the nation’s leading newspapers, magazines, and websites. Do you have a nutrition question? Call the Nutrition Diva listener line at 443-961-6206. Your question could be featured on the show.
