Myth: Diabetes is not that serious of a disease.

Fact: Diabetes causes more deaths a year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.

Myth: If you are overweight or obese, you will eventually develop type 2 diabetes.

Fact: Being overweight is a risk factor for developing  diabetes, but other risk factors such as family history, ethnicity and age also play a role. Most overweight people never develop type 2 diabetes, and many people with type 2 diabetes have a normal weight or are only moderately overweight.

Myth: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.

Fact: No, it does not. Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics; type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors. Consuming a high calorie diet can lead to being overweight and increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Myth: People with diabetes should eat special diabetic foods.

Fact: Everyone should eat a healthy diet – low in fat (especially saturated and trans fat), moderate in salt and sugar, whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Diabetic and “dietetic” foods generally offer no special benefit. Most of them still raise blood glucose levels, are usually more expensive, and can also have a laxative effect if they contain sugar alcohols.

Myth: If you have diabetes, you should only eat small amounts of starchy foods, such as bread, potatoes and pasta.

Fact: Starchy foods are part of a healthy meal plan. What is important is the portion size. Whole grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice and starchy vegetables like potatoes, yams, peas and corn can be included in your meals and snacks. About 3-4 servings of carbohydrate-containing foods per meal is about right.

Myth: People with diabetes can’t eat sweets or chocolate.
Fact: If eaten as part of a healthy meal plan, or in combination with exercise, sweets and desserts can be eaten by diabetics. 

Myth: Fruit is a healthy food. Therefore, it is ok to eat as much of it as you wish.

Fact: Fruit is a healthy food, but in addition to fiber and vitamins they contain carbohydrates which affects blood glucose levels.

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