10 Diabetes Diet Myths

"Diabetes diet." Simply hearing these words may be enough to make you feel overwhelmed or frustrated. Perhaps you have said, or heard someone else express, one of these th o u g h t s : E a ti n g t o o m u c h s u g a r c a u s e s d i a b e te s . T h e r e a r e to o m a n y r u l e s a b o u t c h o o s i n g fo o d s th a t a r e O K i n a d i a b e te s d i e t. You have to give up all your favorite foods when you're on a d i a b e te s d i e t. These three statements are all myths about diabetes diets. Take a closer look at these and other myths to find out the facts about diabetes and diet. Diabetes Diet Myth 1: Eating Too Much Sugar Causes Diabetes. H o w d o e s d i a b e te s h a p p e n ? T h e c a u s e s a r e n o t to ta l l y u n d e r s to o d . W h a t i s k n o w n i s th a t s i m p l y e a ti n g to o m u c h s u g a r i s u n l i k e l y to c a u s e d i a b e te s . Instead, diabetes begins when something disrupts your bodys ability to turn the food you eat into energy.

To understand what happens when you have diabetes, keep these things in mind: Your body breaks down much of the food you eat into glucose, a type of sugar needed to power your cells. A hormone called insulin is m a d e i n th e p a n c r e a s . In s u l i n h e l p s th e c e l l s i n th e b o d y u s e g l u c o s e f o r fu e l .

H e r e a r e th e m o s t c o m m o n t y p e s o f d i a b e te s a n d w h a t r e s e a r c h e r s k n o w about t heir c aus es : Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas cannot make i n s u l i n . W i th o u t i n s u l i n , g l u c o s e p i l e s u p i n y o u r b l o o d v e s s e l s . P e o p l e w i th t y p e 1 d i a b e te s m u s t t a k e i n s u l i n to h e l p th e glucose into the cells. Type 1 diabetes often starts in younger p e o p l e o r i n c h i l d r e n . R e s e a r c h e r s b e l i e v e th a t i t m a y o c c u r when something goes wrong with the immune system. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not make enough insulin, the insulin does not work properly, or both. Being overweight makes type 2 diabetes more likely to occur. It c a n h a p p e n i n a p e r s o n o f a n y a g e .

 G e s t a t io n a l d i a b e t e s o c c u r s d u r i n g p r e g n a n c y i n s o m e women. Hormone changes during pregnancy prevent insulin from working properly. W omen with gestational diabetes usually need to take insulin. The condition may resolve after b i r th o f t h e c h i l d . Diabetes Diet Myth 2: There Are Too Many Rules in a Diabetes Diet. If you have diabetes, you will need to plan your meals. But the general principal is simple: Following a "diabetes diet" means choosing food that will work along with your activities and any medications to keep your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. Will you need to make changes to what you now eat? Probably. But perhaps not as many as you anticipate. Diabetes Diet Myth 3: Carbohydrates Are Bad. In fact, carbohydrates are good. They form the foundation of a healthy d i a b e te s d i e t o r o f a n y h e a l th y d i e t. C a r b o h y d r a te s h a v e th e g r e a te s t e ffe c t on blood glucose levels, which is why you are asked to monitor how much carbohydrate you eat when following a d i a b e te s d i e t. However, carbohydrate foods contain m a n y e s s e n ti a l n u tr i e n ts , i n c l u d i n g vitamins, minerals, and fiber. So one diabetes diet tip is to choose those with the most nutrients, like whole-grain breads and baked goods, and highfiber fruits and vegetables. You may find it easier to select the best carbs if you meet with a dietitian. Diabetes Diet Myth 4: Protein is Better than Carbohydrates. Because carbs affect blood glucose levels so quickly, you may be tempted to e a t l e s s o f t h e m a n d s u b s ti tu te m o r e p r o te i n . B u t to o m u c h p r o te i n m a y l e a d to p r o b l e m s fo r p e o p l e w i th d i a b e t e s . T h e m a i n p r o b l e m i s th a t m a n y fo o d s r i c h i n p r o te i n , s u c h a s m e a t, m a y a l s o b e fi l l e d w i th s a t u r a te d f a t. E a ti n g t o o m u c h o f th e s e fa ts i n c r e a s e s

your risk of heart disease. In a diabetes diet, protein should account for about 15% to 20% of the total calories you eat each day.

Diabetes Diet Myth 5: You can Adjust Your Medications to "Cover" Whatever You Eat. If you use insulin, you may learn how to adjust the amount and type you take to match the amount of food you eat. But this doesnt mean you can eat as much as you want, then just use more medication to stabilize your glucose level. If you use other types of diabetes medication, dont try to adjust your dose to match varying levels of carbohydrates in your meals unless instructed by your doctor. Most diabetes medications work best when they are taken c o n s i s te n tl y a s d i r e c t e d b y y o u r d o c to r .

Diabetes Diet Myth 6: You'll Need to Give Up Your Favorite Foods. There is no reason to give up your favorite foods on a diabetes diet. Instead, try: Changing the way your favorite foods are prepared. Changing the other foods you usually eat along with your favorite foods. Reducing the serving sizes of your favorite foods.

 Using your favorite foods as a reward for following your meal plans . A dietitian can help you find ways to include your favorites in your meal plans . Diabetes Diet Myth 7: You Have to Give Up Desserts. Not true! You can develop many strategies for including desserts in a diabetes diet. Here are some examples: U s e a r ti fi c i a l s w e e te n e r s i n d e s s e r ts . Cut back on the amount of dessert. For example, instead of tw o s c o o p s o f i c e c r e a m , h a v e o n e . O r s h a r e a d e s s e r t w i th a fr i e n d . Use desserts as an occasional reward for following your d i a b e te s d i e t p l a n . Make desserts more nutritious. For example, use whole grains, fresh fruit, and vegetable oil when preparing desserts. M a n y ti m e s , y o u c a n u s e l e s s s u g a r th a n a r e c i p e c a l l s f o r without sacrificing taste or consistency. Expand your dessert horizons. Instead of ice cream, pie, or cake, try fruit, a whole-wheat oatmeal-raisin cookie, or yogurt. Diabetes Diet Myth 8: Artificial Sweeteners are Dangerous for People w it h D ia b e t e s . Artificial sweeteners are much sweeter than the equivalent amount of s u g a r , s o i t ta k e s l e s s o f th e m to g e t th e s a m e s w e e tn e s s fo u n d i n s u g a r . This can result in eating fewer calories than when you use sugar. The American Diabetes Association approves the use of several artificial s w e e te n e r s i n d i a b e t e s d i e ts , i n c l u d i n g : Saccharin (SweetN Low) A s p a r ta m e ( N u tr a S w e e t, E q u a l ) A c e s u l f a m e p o ta s s i u m ( S u n e tt) S uc r alo s e ( S p lend a)

A dietitian can help you determine which sweeteners are best for which u s e s , w h e th e r i n c o ff e e , b a k i n g , c o o k i n g , o r o th e r u s e s . Diabetes Diet Myth 9: You Need to Eat Special 'Diabetic Meals.'

T h e tr u th i s th a t th e r e r e a l l y i s n o s u c h a s th i n g a s a " d i a b e ti c d i e t." T h e fo o d s th a t a r e h e a l th y f o r p e o p l e w i th d i a b e te s a r e a l s o g o o d c h o i c e s fo r the rest of your family. Usually, there is no need to prepare special meals.

The difference between a diabetes diet and your familys "normal" diet is this: If you have diabetes, you need to monitor what you eat a little more closely. This includes the total amount of calories you consume and the amounts and types of carbohydrates, fats, and protein you eat. A diabetes educator or dietitian can help you learn how to do this. Diabetes Diet Myth 10: 'Diet' Foods Are the Best Choices. Just because a food is labeled as a "diet" food does not mean it is a better choice for people with diabetes. In fact, "diet" foods can be expensive and no healthier than foods found in the "regular" sections of the grocery store, or foods you prepare yourself. As with any food you choose, read the labels carefully to find out if the ingredients and amount of calories are good choices for you. If you have doubts, ask your diabetes educator or a dietitian for advice.

Moving Beyond Diabetes Diet Myths Now that you know the facts about diabetes diets, you can take steps to learn even more about making wise food choices. Together with exercise and medication, you can use what you eat as an effective tool for keeping your blood glucose levels within normal ranges. That is the best diabetes diet of a ll.

Compiled By: Dr.M.Kumaravel

SOURCES: W ebMD Medical Reference in collaboration with The Cleveland Clinic: "Diabetes: Diabetes Basics," "Diabetes: Healthy Diet Basics," and "Diabetes: Treating Diabetes with Insulin." WebMD Feature: "Diabetes and Weight Loss: The Right Path." American Diabetes Association: "Healthy Eating: Make It Happen" and "Sweeteners & Desserts." Mayo Clinic: "Artificial Sweeteners: Any Effect on Blood Sugar?"