by Betty Carew

Created on: August 27, 2009

Every disease brings its own myths with it and it is no different with diabetes. Diabetes doesn't have to mean that life is over as we knew it but it will take some adjustment towards a new style of living. Diabetes is a serious disease and you need to pay attention to it in order to keep living a healthy life. Here are some common myths about diabetes.

There are three types of diabetes which are type 1, referred to as juvenile diabetes which is usually insulin dependent and are usually contracted at an early age or you can be born with it. Type 2 diabetes where the onset comes when you are an adult and gestational diabetes which you contract during pregnancy. The only diabetes that there is a possibility of it not staying is gestational diabetes which can stay or leave after your baby is born.

Diabetics can't have sweets

Diabetes can be controlled by diet and exercise but most people believe that once you're a diabetic you can't have sweets. This is a myth and if you have contracted diabetes your diet certainly has to change. By eating a well balanced meal such as a low carb meal you certainly can enjoy a sweet after your meal but it must be done in moderation.

Sugar causes diabetes

This is another myth, sugar does not cause diabetes. It is not known for sure what causes a person to get diabetes but researchers lean towards the life style you live or by genetics. The levels of sugar found in your bloodstream are not the same as the sugar you use to sweeten things. By eating too many sweets you can become overweight which in turn can raise the risk of getting diabetes. The other way that's suspected of people developing diabetes is that it is inherited from the parents. If your family has a history of diabetes then the risk for you having it is that much higher and all the more reason for you to change your eating and exercise habits now.

Diabetics have to have a special diet

This is another myth. If you're eating healthy already, you may not have to change your diet very much. The facts are that the same diet is used in both healthy eating without diabetes as it is when you have developed it. If you are already eating things such as whole grains, lean protein combined with healthy fruits or your diet is low fat then you are already eating what a diabetic diet would be. You also have to watch your intake of salts and sugars.

Diabetes is transmittable

This has got to be the biggest myth of all when people think you can catch diabetes. Diabetes is not contagious.

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