The nine myths of diabetes

It is very common for people to have misconceptions about diabetes. At first, when a person is diagnosed with diabetes and does not have much knowledge about this topic, they have to go through a process of gathering information about what they can or cannot eat. We hope that after reading these myths that arise, you will have a more detailed idea of what can or cannot be done. 1. Sugar is prohibited, but sugar-free foods are free There are many foods that are marketed as sugar-free on their packaging or labels, but that does not mean they are exempt from containing carbohydrates. These foods, especially cookies, cakes, candies, etc., contain carbohydrates due to the flour or milk with which they are prepared, which is why consumption of these foods should be monitored. 2. If I eat healthy carbohydrate foods, I have better control of blood glucose Even if you think the drinks and food you consume are healthy carbohydrates like fruit, whole grains, etc., it does not mean you should consume them in large amounts, as many of these foods contain a certain amount of carbohydrates that, in the end, when summed up, are a considerable amount that can affect health. With practice, you will realize that weighing and measuring portions helps, and you will learn to know if what you are about to consume is in the right amounts. 3. Carbohydrates should not be consumed Approximately half of the calories we should consume in a day should come from carbohydrates. Reducing intake can lead to low energy in the body, feelings of fatigue, irritability, and even affect performance in daily activities. The key is to distribute carbohydrate intake correctly according to a specialist. If we manage to distribute the necessary amount of carbohydrates, your energy level will not be affected, and blood glucose will remain at the correct levels. 4. Diabetes controls you, and you must give up your dreams and your life At first, it is difficult for everyone to accept the diagnosis of having diabetes. It is important to take into account that it is a change in lifestyle, but everything can be achieved with good control. What we recommend is that you learn to understand how your body reacts to the consumption of one type of food versus another. A glucose monitor is essential for this task, and soon you will learn to enjoy family meals without having to deprive yourself of any food, of course, always keeping an eye on the portions. 5. Check blood glucose levels once a day and after meals Using a monitor that measures blood glucose levels is essential. This device will help us control our glucose levels throughout the day. It is recommended to measure yourself on an empty stomach, before and after meals. The reason is that glucose values vary throughout the day, and it is best to know with facts and not with assumptions.   6. You must always eat at the same time As long as you do not have to use insulin, the timing of your meals can vary a bit. If at some point, whether due to work or some other situation, you cannot eat on time, it's okay, as long as you maintain controlled carbohydrate intake in a balanced diet. 7. All meals must contain the same amount of carbohydrates If you learn to control your carbohydrate threshold, you will have greater flexibility and control over what you eat. When you monitor blood glucose values, you can learn when during the day you should eat fewer carbohydrates and when you can complement your necessary intake. If your glucose level is higher in the morning than in the afternoon, then you can eat less of these foods at breakfast than at lunch. 8. You should consume snacks throughout the day and before bed It was once common to think that a certain amount of snacks should be consumed throughout the day, but this now varies from person to person depending on the type of diabetes they have. It is always good to have the opinion of a specialist in the field. If you are one of those people who is used to consuming snacks during the day, what you may provoke is weight gain, insulin resistance, or poor blood glucose control. 9. If I count the carbohydrates in my meals, I don't have to worry about fat High-fat foods can keep glucose levels high. This happens because consuming foods with a high-fat content can slow digestion, causing blood glucose to rise and remain elevated for a longer time. It is advisable to maintain a low-fat diet to manage your consumption levels and have greater control.   To find diabetes recipes, click here.