Diabetes Myths: Busted
On behalf of the millions of Americans who live with or are at risk for diabetes, CHRISTUS Health Plan is committed to helping our members understand this chronic disease. In honor of American Diabetes Month (November), we hope you’ll learn more about the disease by allowing us to bust some myths.
If you’re overweight, will you always develop Type 2 diabetes?Being overweight is a risk factor for developing diabetes, but other risk factors such as physical activitylevel, family history, ethnicity, and age also play roles. Many people with Type 2 diabetes are at a normal weight or moderately overweight.
Is diabetes a serious disease?
Yes. Diabetes causes more deaths each year than breast cancer and AIDS combined, and having diabetes nearly doubles your chance of having a heart attack. However, managing your diabetes can reduce your risk for diabetes complications.
Do people with diabetes need to eat special foods?
A healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is generally the same as healthy eating for anyone - low in saturated fat, moderate in salt and sugar, with meals based on lean protein, non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and fruit.
Can people with diabetes eat sweets or chocolate?
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.
Does taking insulin mean you’re failing to take care of your diabetes?
Using insulin to get blood glucose levels to a healthy level is a good thing, not a bad thing. For most people, Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease. When first diagnosed, many people can keep their blood glucose at a healthy level with meal planning, physical activity, and taking oral medications. Over time, the body gradually produces less of its own insulin, and eventually oral medications may not be enough to keep blood glucose levels in a healthy range.