Type 2 Diabetes - Diabetic Myths Busted!

World Wide Web | Type 2 Diabetes - Diabetic Myths Busted! | Although Type 2 diabetes can be a complicated disease, people often make it much more difficult than it has to be. With so much controversy and mystery surrounding it, it's no wonder some people have a hard time balancing their lives around it. In order to clear the air, we are looking to dispel some of the most common myths associated with having Type 2 diabetes and some of the foods they can and cannot have.

1. Diabetics can't have sugar. Okay, let's go ahead and get the most obvious one out-of-the-way early on. The reason people still believe in this myth is because they don't really understand the concept of diabetes. In a nutshell, it isn't so much the sugar as it is the carbohydrates. Yes, sugar has to be limited, but a diabetic can enjoy occasional sweets and still have balanced blood sugar... as long as they plan ahead and act responsibly.

Does this mean a diabetic can consume sweets as long as they contain little or no carbs? Of course not. It means people with diabetes have to be careful of anything that can turn to sugar in their system... especially carbohydrates.

2. Diabetics can't have alcohol. Diabetics are able to drink alcohol... as long as they make sure to exercise two very specific cautions:

drink in moderation, and

never drink alone.

Here's a further explanation:

alcohol contains sugar and carbs, the two ingredients a diabetic should pay close attention to. But keeping the amount you drink down, allows a diabetic to occasionally indulge.

you should never drink alone anyway, but this is certainly true if you are a diabetic. Why? Two reasons. One, you will almost always consume more alcohol than you originally planned, and two, if something happens to you and you become sick, now your ability to handle the situation has been severely impacted. This is a very dangerous scenario to put yourself in.

3. Diabetics can't have fruit juice. The reason this rumor continues to circulate is because fruit juice is notorious for containing massive amounts of sugar. The problem is liquids are digested at a much faster rate than solids because the liquids do not have to be broken down so they can go directly into the bloodstream. Juice has also had fiber removed.

Juice can be consumed, in small quantities, and is best to have with a meal. But why risk it? If you have a desire for that fruity taste why not eat the actual fruit itself, and not only get the benefit of the fiber content, but at the same time eliminate the unnecessary added sugar?

Type 2 diabetes is no longer a condition you must just live with. It need not slowly and inevitably get worse. You can take control of the disease... and take back your life.

Article Source: EzineArticles