Introduction

Diabetes is nothing but a chronic disease wherein the human body fails to regulate the sugar or glucose levels in the bloodstream. As per research, the probability of the diabetic population to hit a whopping number of 69.9 million by the year 2025 is pretty high. This number could even reach 80 million by the year 2030 and increasing. The major causes of getting diagnosed with diabetes are the genetic history, obesity, physical inactivity, insulin resistance, and more. This growth in diabetes should be tackled at a more personal level instead of waiting for the healthcare professionals to take over. Hence, it is imperative that you keep educating yourself about the medical trends, self-care essentials, and the myths that may be surrounding this disease. Read on to know more about these myths so that you can stop believing them and bust them in order to conquer this disease.

Myths Around Diabetes

Lifestyle changes can help you maintain your blood sugar or glucose levels in your bloodstream, however, it is important that you learn about the myths about diabetes which are prevailing. This will help you free yourself from the added stress and focus more on your recovery journey. Here are some myths surrounding diabetes which you must stop believing in order to conquer it:

Myth 1: “Diabetic Patients Can’t Consume Carbohydrates”

Potato, a starchy vegetable, is rich in carbohydrates and has the potential to increase the levels of your blood sugar quickly. The quantity of carbohydrates can be a problem for the diabetics, not the choice of carb. You can mix the simple carbs such as potatoes with a few complex ones in order to avoid a sudden blood sugar spike. It is important for you to understand that carbs aren’t your enemies if eaten in the correct quantities. However, you should avoid food items with high carbohydrates, especially the ones which are refined, such as cereal, white bread, pasta, and more.

Myth 2: “Diabetes Patients Can Have Fruit Juices As Long As There’s No Added Sugar”

Well, this is a myth that must be busted. You shouldn’t consume more than 50 grams of sugar at a time. After getting the fruits juiced, their fibre is significantly reduced, and the pace of sugar consumption and absorption increases. This leads to a quick spike in the blood sugar levels. However, this does not imply that you can not consume fruits at all. In fact, direct consumption of fruits wholly will only ensure an improved digestion process. Fruits such as guava, pears, apples, oranges, and pomegranate can be consumed, however, custard apples, litchis, and grapes must be avoided.

Myth 3: “Health Insurance Plans Don’t Cover Diabetes Treatment”

The diagnosis of diabetes can end up making you vulnerable to several other health related issues which can prove to be very expensive. These expenses can end up draining your life’s hard-earned savings and result in soaring high treatment costs. Hence, it is imperative that you get yourself insured with a health insurance policy. Even if you are diabetic, you can make health insurance claims in order to cover your treatment expenses. Several insurance providers offer health insurance policies with relatively longer waiting periods and higher premiums covering the pre-existing ailments such as diabetes. However, these insurance plans will mitigate your medical expenses in the long run.

Myth 4: “Diabetics Must Consume Six Small Meals Per Day”

Doctors say that consuming two to three whole meals per day is much better than snacking on six meals throughout the day. With every meal, your blood sugar levels will spike, and this is something which diabetics must avoid. Having full meals comprising fats, proteins, and complex carbs will help reduce blood sugar fluctuations. 

Myth 5: “Diabetics Cannot Consume Fats”

Fats create the most minimum surges in the insulin levels, hence, nothing is better than them in order to balance the hormones. Every body cell has a thick lining. Every time you eat a diet with low fat concentration, these linings tend to weaken and end up becoming more prone to getting infected. Also, quite a lot of vitamins are fat soluble, hence, if you end up going low fat, you will also hinder their absorption which can become a problem. Therefore, you must load up on foods with good fat concentrations such as avocado, coconut oil, ghee, olive oil, and mustard oil. Your polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids must be mixed, hence, a mix of oil should be used. This implies that trying ghee for frying and tadka, mustard oil for the green vegetables, and olive oil for salads, soups, and stir-fries, could be a good idea.

Myth 6: “Diabetics Must Consume High-protein Diet”

Protein is used by the human body to build and repair its organs and tissues. It is also essential for immunity, thereby making it a must-have in every diet. However, if you consume too much protein, it could prove to be harmful for the patients with diabetes, especially for the ones who also have kidney related issues along with diabetes. Additionally, it can also lead to inflammation. Eggs can be a good addition to your diet since it has all the amino acids, a great quality of fat, and is most bioavailable. It also doesn’t lead to the fluctuation of sugar levels, thereby maintaining the insulin balance.

Conclusion

This article has certainly busted the myths which surround diabetes. Since you are now aware of the several myths revolving around this ailment, you will not be free of the added pressure and make an informed decision. It will help you focus on your recovery journey more than getting worried about these myths and taking care of things which could prove to be counterproductive. Be aware and conquer diabetes now!

*Disclaimer: This content provides general information and is not a medical opinion. Hence, you must consult your respective doctors for accurate information and advice.