November is American Diabetes Month!

With many individuals researching type 2 diabetes online, the result can often be incomplete or inaccurate information which can cause confusion about the best approach for managing this disease.  In honor of November being Diabetes Awareness Month, we have combined clinical expertise with evidence-based science to help you clear up some of the most common myths about type 2 diabetes.

Myth: Diabetes is not a very serious disease.
Fact: Diabetes can often be prevented by practicing a healthy lifestyle.  When left uncontrolled, type 2 diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States.

Myth: If you are overweight you will develop diabetes.
Fact: Being overweight is a common risk factor for the disease, but other factors such as genetics and family history can contribute to your likeliness of developing the disease.  Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is the most important action you can take to control type 2 diabetes.

Myth: People with diabetes need to eat special foods.
Fact:  Managing diabetes requires a healthy meal plan that balances carbohydrate foods with a source of lean protein or healthy fat to help manage blood sugar levels.

Myth: Fruit is a healthy food; I can eat as much as I want.
Fact: Fruit is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber; however, it is a carbohydrate which has the potential to spike blood sugar levels.  Fruits can be a healthy addition to the diabetic meal plan, but should always be combined with a protein or healthy fat source to prevent elevated blood sugars.

Myth: If you have diabetes, you can’t eat white or starchy foods like potatoes, rice, pasta and bread.
Fact: These foods can be included in your meals and snacks as long as you are aware of managing your portion sizes and mindful to always include a protein or healthy fat to help stabilize blood sugars.  As a general rule, always limit your mealtime starch portion to no more than the size of your clenched fist.

Myth: Diabetes is curable.
Fact: There is not yet a cure for diabetes, but there are very effective ways to manage this serious disease.  We know by decreasing body weight by 5 to 10%, blood sugars often will normalize.  Weight loss along with healthy food choices and exercise can work wonders to keep blood sugars within normal range.

Myth: Daily blood sugar testing is not needed to successfully manage diabetes. As long as you are feeling good, your numbers aren’t important.
Fact: It is very important to test blood sugars, and take prescribed medications each day. A positive attitude can allow you to feel great, but to properly manage your disease, it is necessary to consistently be aware of your numbers.

Myth: Drinking alcohol has no effect on blood sugar levels.
Fact: When a person drinks excessively, blood sugar levels are lower because the liver is working to eliminate the alcohol from the body and not allowing glucose to be metabolized.   While it’s a good idea to avoid alcohol, if you do have an occasional drink, make sure to have it with a meal or after eating.

With so many questions about this very serious disease, we all need to be aware of the truths to help manage diabetes. Share this newsletter to someone you think would benefit from knowing the facts about managing diabetes with a healthy lifestyle.