There are many myths surrounding diabetes. It is essential to debunk these myths so that people are correctly guided. Some fact-checks involve making lifestyle changes to keep your blood sugar levels stable.

What you need to know:

Debunking myths related to diabetes

Debunking myths related to diabetes

Managing diabetes is possible but tricky, as blood sugar levels have to be monitored regularly. Here are some myths related to this chronic condition.

Myth 1: Diabetes is caused by eating sweet food or sugar.

Fact: While eating excess sweet food or sugar harms your health, multiple contributing factors are associated with this condition. Genetic conditions or a sedentary lifestyle with faulty eating habits that include unhealthy, high carbohydrates, high-calorie food, inactivity, or high-stress levels due to emotional imbalances can also cause diabetes. The condition occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or utilize insulin. This leads to an excess of sugar in the blood, as it cannot enter the cells to be utilized.

Myth 2: People with diabetes should avoid eating rice (carbohydrates).

Fact: Diabetics can consume all forms of carbohydrates in moderate amounts, along with a healthy proportion of protein, vegetables, and fat. However, brown rice, wheat, and millets have a better glycemic index as they are easier to break down and digest the glucose content.

Myth 3: Diet and exercise are enough to control diabetes.

Fact: Although a balanced diet and exercise play an important role in keeping you fit and healthy, there may be cases in which they are insufficient on their own. Diabetes is a condition that results in reduced insulin production and reduced effectiveness with which the secreted insulin acts. Hence, the medicines your doctor prescribes are essential in controlling your blood sugar levels.

Myth 4: Skipping a meal can control blood sugar levels.

Fact: A skipped meal changes the balance between food intake and insulin production, causing your blood sugar levels to drop. Skipping meals can lead to bingeing unhealthy, calorie-dense snacks, fatigue, brain fog, revenge eating or overeating, or medication imbalance.

Myth 5: In diabetes, you just need to keep your blood sugar levels in control.

Fact: Although blood sugar levels play a defining role in diabetes, this chronic condition affects all body systems. Keeping your cholesterol, uric acid, and weight in check is crucial to preventing obesity and keeping your heart healthy.

Myth 6: Only older adults get diabetes.

Fact: Diabetes as a chronic condition has become common in all age groups. Today, both the younger and adult population is at risk of getting diabetes. Poor lifestyle choices such as lack of exercise, unhealthy diet, unsystematic sleeping patterns, excessive screen time, and stress from a young age can also lead to diabetes in younger people.

You can check your blood glucose levels on our online Blood Sugar Calculator.

Having the right knowledge will lead to a proper understanding of the condition and help you take the necessary actions. Stay active in the Activ Living Community to find more details on fitness and nutrition.