So there are many misconceptions and myths about diabetes, these tend to stem from false interpretations people have made or a confusion between the different types of diabetes. I am going to set the record straight as it's clear to me many people don't really know what diabetes is and I would rather people didn't know a thing rather than them only knowing the wrong facts.
Myth number 1. All Diabetics are fat and this is why they are diabetic
Wrong, obesity can cause Type 2 diabetes but is only one factor. Type 1 diabetes is actually linked into your genes and it's not a choice whether you get it or not. By eating healthy and exercising regularly you may help to reduce your chances of getting type 2 but its not a full proof plan as there are many other factors involved, that I can't for the life of me think what now.
Myth number 2. Diabetes is contagious.
This one really makes me laugh as it's not. It never has been never will be. I don't really understand where this idea came from, but I assume it's because diabetes is a disease and people assume it can be passed from one human to another.
Myth number 3. There is a better and worse type of diabetes, the better being type 2.
No neither type is better or worse nor is one more serious than the other. They both require the same treatment eventually and are "equally serious" as diabetes UK put it.
Myth number 4. Diabetics can't have sugar.
You need sugar to lead a healthy balanced diet. Diabetics are healthy so they must be able to eat sugar. I love sweet things, a lot and sometimes this requires a bit more management on the diabetes side but it's totally worth it. This myth stems from people knowing enough about diabetes to know that a symptom is having high blood sugar, they then manage to turn it round so in their minds diabetics are just people with high blood sugars. Therefore eating sugar would be a really bad idea.
Myth number 5.Diabetics should eat food made for diabetics.
Actually when I was diagnosed my dsn said it was better to avoid these foods as they have a much higher content of E numbers and other chemicals. So while they have the benefit of being low in sugar they aren't actually helping anybody in that respect. So as long as you eat normal sweets and chocolate in moderation you will be fine.
Hopefully this helped to clear up your foggy ideas on diabetes, if not lets hope it was slightly entertaining.
Rhona x
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