The Most Common Facts and Myths Surrounding Type 2 Diabetes
If you have been living with type 2 diabetes for a while, or have been recently diagnosed, you likely have tons of questions you’re looking for answers to. Thoughts about what you can versus can’t eat and what caused your diabetes are the types of questions that can keep you up at night!
Take it from us here at Swee2ooth when we say we’ve been there — which is one of the many reasons why we started this community in the first place! We have personal ties to type 2 diabetes, and are focused on helping people move toward remission. It’s true that knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your health. Understanding the ins and outs of type 2 diabetes will provide you with the foundation necessary to turn your health around and begin creating new, healthy habits.
Keep reading to learn the top facts (and myths!) surrounding type 2 diabetes.
Myth: Type 2 diabetes isn’t genetic like Type 1
The diabetes myth that type 1 is purely caused by genetics, and type 2 by your lifestyle, has been going around for years. This is simply not true. In fact, type 2 is said to have “a stronger link to family history and lineage than type 1” by the American Diabetes Association. In truth, both types of diabetes are caused by genetics — but it’s type 2 diabetes that seems to also be caused by lifestyle factors. Which is why it’s more common and usually diagnosed later in life.
Think of it this way — if two siblings come from a family with a history of diabetes, genetically speaking they both have the same risk. For example, imagine one sibling makes it a point to exercise each day, drink plenty of water, eat whole foods and avoid excessive amounts of sweets and processed foods. On the other hand, the second sibling eats a diet mainly consisting of fried foods and sodas, and they rarely do any sort of activity. You can imagine which out of the two siblings is more likely to develop type 2. The good news is that not everyone who has these genes will develop diabetes — which is why preventing diabetes early on by living a healthy lifestyle is so important!
Myth: Eating too much sugar is the main cause behind diabetes
This diabetes myth is actually false! Sugar doesn’t directly cause diabetes. However, there’s a strong correlation between sugar and diabetes that seems to be the reason why many people buy into this myth.
Rather, it’s a combination of eating habits that lead to diabetes, but sugar alone usually gets the blame. As someone with type 2, poor eating habits may be the cause behind your diagnosis in the first place. This sometimes includes eating too much sugar, among other things.
Fact: People with type 2 can eat carbs
You need to be mindful of your carb intake and eat around the same amount of carbs per day to keep your blood sugar stable. So yes, you can still eat carbs, but you need to be mindful of how many you eat.
People with type 2 should avoid certain carbs, such as those that come from high-calorie, high-fat, and starchy foods. These foods tend to lack nutrients and are loaded with unhealthy fats, sodium, and sugar. Avoid white potatoes, corn, and refined grains like white bread, white rice, cereal, and baked goods such as cakes and cookies. Rather, eat good carbs like carrots, squash, green peas, beans, and lentils. Whole grains like shredded wheat cereal, 100% whole wheat bagels, and sprouted bread are also good sources of healthy carbs.
Myth: Having prediabetes guarantees you will eventually be diabetic
This myth can be false or true, depending on several factors and how you live. Be aware, around 70% of people with prediabetes do go on to develop diabetes.
This is mainly due to the fact that most people are unaware they’re prediabetic, and poor lifestyle habits that lead to the development of type 2. Take a quick and free prediabetes risk test from the CDC, and as always, talk with your doctor.
Myth: Once a diabetic, always a diabetic
The answer to this diabetes myth is a resounding no when referring to type 2! Remission is possible, it just takes a bit of work on your end. Adopting healthy eating habits, an exercise routine, monitoring your blood sugar levels, fueling your body with the nutrients it needs, and avoiding nicotine can do wonders for your health.
See the inspirational story behind how one of our current customers changed his lifestyle and reversed his type 2 diabetes.
Myth: Diabetes changes your mood and personality
This is an interesting myth that is somewhat misunderstood. Your personality is fairly constant, while your mood is fluid and can change depending on what emotion you’re feeling. That being said, diabetes doesn’t change who you are personally. However, a major change in your blood sugar levels can make you feel fairly ill. Which can, understandably, affect how you’re feeling.
Fact: A low carb diet is the best way to manage diabetes
A low carb diet is a smart option for most people with type 2 diabetes. It’s fairly easy to follow and you can still eat delicious food, such as Swee2ooth Super Blends!
Be mindful of foods that are formulated to be low carb, such as breads, tortillas, frozen dinners, and the like. These are usually filled with low-quality ingredients that do more harm than good. So while you’re technically eating a low amount of carbs, you’re still not eating healthy or nutritious foods. It’s all about balance!
Check out our Swee2ooth recipe library that features balanced, nutritious, and delicious recipes to help you toward reversing your type 2 diabetes.
Fact: Thin people can still get diabetes
You don’t have to be overweight to get diabetes. People with naturally high metabolisms may take advantage of this fact and eat diets high in unhealthy fats, carbs, and sugars — which can contribute to type 2 diabetes.
Plus, stress and high levels of cortisol can raise your blood sugar and lead to insulin resistance, too. Most of society today is incredibly stressed, regardless of body weight. Therefore, the notion that thin people can’t get diabetes is simply not true.
Myth: You don’t really need to check your blood sugar
Not only is this diabetes myth false, but it’s dangerous to believe it’s true. Elevated blood sugar can have subtle symptoms you may not notice. Fatigue, thirst, headaches, and blurred vision are some of the most common symptoms, but they’re also symptoms for many other health conditions. Monitoring your blood sugar every day is the most reliable way to keep track of your levels, never just assume!
Fact: You can still exercise if you have diabetes
A common perception is that people with type 2 can’t perform strenuous exercise. Strenuous activity can sometimes raise your blood sugar, but don’t fret. Just because you have diabetes, doesn’t mean you can’t pick up new hobbies! Go rock climbing, swim laps, compete in professional sports, and do all of the activities you like.
All you need to do is take some precautions. Check your blood sugar level and make sure it’s at a normal level before and after exercising. Wear a medical bracelet so others are aware of your condition in case of an emergency. If you’re not already an athlete, start with low-impact exercises to build up a consistent fitness routine.
Myth: You can return to old habits once your diabetes is reversed
You can technically do whatever you wish, but if you want to keep diabetes at bay this is not recommended! In order to succeed in reversing your diabetes, you need to be fully committed to making life changes. Once most people reach remission, they’re so invested in their health that they don’t wish to return to their old habits that got them into trouble in the first place.
Myth: Protein powders made for diabetes are unhealthy
Depending on the brand you’re using, this can be true. When looking for a protein powder or meal replacement, you really need to research what you’re putting into your body. Many of these products cut corners for pricing and use a lot of filler ingredients. Oftentimes, they’ll also add white sugar in an attempt to make their product taste better.
When creating our Super Blends, we set out to create a product that had zero of these bad qualities! We focused on the ingredients, nutrients, and flavor profiles. The result? A high-quality snack and meal replacement that tastes good, can be used for cooking, and is nutritionally balanced for both diabetics and nondiabetics.
Fighting the Largest Health Epidemic in the World
Now that you have some clarity on these top type 2 diabetes facts and myths, you can move forward in your journey to reversal armed with the knowledge and tips to get you started.
The first step is joining our S2 Community for support, tips, and the right nutritional tools to help you change your life for the better. Purchase your first order of Swee2ooth and breathe a sigh of relief knowing that each serving provides your body with everything you need, and then some. Consider our Super Blends as the propeller in moving you forward toward a new sense of wellbeing. Whenever you’re ready, click the button below to order your favorite flavor.
