Download Decoding the myths of Type 1 diabetes

Decoding the myths of
Type 1 diabetes
Myth: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.
Fact: Type 1 diabetes is caused by a destruction of the cells in the body that make insulin.
This is not related to how much sugar a person eats.
Myth: Kids with diabetes can never eat sweets.
Fact: Kids with diabetes can eat a certain amount of sugary food as part of a balanced diet.
The total amount of carbohydrates eaten, which includes sugary treats, needs to be
controlled. Because sweets provide no real nutritional value other than calories, they should
be limited — but not necessarily eliminated. All kids (and adults!) should avoid overeating
foods that provide little nutritional value; these foods can crowd out healthier choices.
Myth: Kids can outgrow diabetes.
Fact: Kids do not outgrow diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, the cells of the pancreas that
produce insulin are destroyed. Once they're destroyed, they will never make insulin again.
Kids with Type 1 diabetes will always need to take insulin (until a cure is found).
Myth: Diabetes is contagious.
Fact: Diabetes is not contagious. You can’t catch it from another person.
Myth: Kids with diabetes can’t be physically active.
Fact: Physical activity is important for all kids — with or without diabetes. Physical activity
offers many benefits to kids with diabetes. It helps to control blood glucose levels, improves
heart health, boosts mood, relieves stress, and helps to manage weight. Discuss physical
activity guidelines and blood glucose management with the diabetes team. Remember that
activity should be FUN; do not use physical activity just as a way to bring down blood glucose
levels.
Myth: Low-carbohydrate diets are good for people with diabetes because they should
avoid carbs.
Fact: Carbohydrates (carbs) are the body's preferred source of energy. People with diabetes
should follow a healthy, balanced diet - adopting a meal plan that helps them balance
carbohydrate intake with medication and exercise. Low-carb diets tend to be overloaded
with protein and fat. A high-fat, high-protein diet over the long term may increase the risks of
heart and kidney disease in adulthood for which people with diabetes already are at
increased risk. Carbs should never be restricted due to a high pre-meal blood glucose level.
Myth: Some fruits and vegetables are high in "sugar" and should be avoided, i.e. bananas,
carrots and tomatoes.
Fact: Children with diabetes should enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables every day as part
of a healthy meal plan. Fruits and some vegetables contain fructose. This is a natural form of
carbohydrate or sweetener. No fruits or vegetables are “off limits” because of how much
carbohydrate they provide. Like all foods, these should be enjoyed in moderation.
Myth: “Sugar-Free” or “Diabetic” foods are considered free foods.
Fact: “Sugar-Free” or “Diabetic” foods still contain carbohydrates that can raise blood
glucose levels, especially if eaten in large amounts. These products are often sweetened with
sugar alcohols. These are not well absorbed from the gut and so don’t affect blood glucose
levels. However, these products can have the same amount of fat and calories as the
regularly sweetened versions. Be aware that if you eat more than 10 grams of sugar alcohols
a day, you may experience side effects such as gas, bloating or diarrhea.
Myth: Kids with diabetes should eat low fat foods.
Fact: Kids need to eat the right amounts of carbohydrate, protein AND fat for good growth.
Eating too little fat, especially the “good fats,” can limit proper growth. Kids with diabetes
don’t need to eat low fat or fat free foods. Since fats and oils do not contain carbohydrates,
they don’t affect blood glucose levels.
Myth: Having to take more insulin means diabetes is getting worse.
Fact: Insulin doses will always need adjusting. The goal is to keep blood glucose in a healthy
range. Many factors affect blood glucose levels, including diet, exercise, and time of day.
Insulin needs change from diagnosis as the child grows. At the time of diagnosis, the
pancreas may still be able to make some insulin, so less injected insulin may be needed.
However, over time the pancreas will make less insulin, meaning that insulin will need to be
given by injection. Growth spurts, puberty, appetite and activity also affect the amount of
insulin needed each day.
Myth: People with diabetes can feel whether their blood glucose levels are high or low.
Fact: A person with diabetes may feel symptoms if blood glucose levels are high or low.
These symptoms may be extreme thirst, weakness, or fatigue. However, the only way to
know for sure what the levels are is to test them. For example, blood glucose levels have to
be very high to cause symptoms. A person who isn't testing regularly can have high blood
glucose levels high enough to damage the body without even realizing it.
Myth: People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnesses.
Fact: A person with diabetes is no more likely to get a cold or another illness because they
have diabetes. However, they may notice it more because an illness can make diabetes more
difficult to control. People with diabetes are advised to get flu shots. People with diabetes
who do get the flu are more likely than others to go on to develop serious complications.
More information:
American Diabetes Association “Diabetes Myths” found online at
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-myths/