Myth 1: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes
The Truth: Eating too much sugar doesn’t directly cause diabetes.
For Type 1 diabetes, sugar isn’t the culprit at all. It’s not caused by anything you eat or your eating habits.
When it comes to Type 2 diabetes, while eating too much sugar doesn’t directly cause it, your eating habits can play a role. Eating a lot of sugar and carbohydrates, which break down into glucose in the body, can increase the risk of developing diabetes and make it harder to manage blood glucose levels. But sugar alone isn’t the reason Type 2 diabetes develops – there are many risk factors involved.
So, while sugar consumption can impact your risk, it’s not the direct cause of diabetes. There’s a lot more to it.
Myth 2: Only overweight, lazy people get diabetes
The truth: Some slim, active people develop diabetes too. Nobody should be blamed or shamed for their health – diabetes can affect anyone.
Type 1 diabetes isn’t associated with weight, physical inactivity, or any behaviours or habits. While being overweight is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, it's not a direct cause. Some people who are overweight may never develop Type 2 diabetes, while some who are at a healthy weight will.
So, diabetes isn’t about being overweight or lazy – it’s much more complex than that. People with diabetes need more kindness and less judgement.
Myth 3: People with diabetes can’t eat sugar
The truth: People with diabetes can eat sugary foods, and there’s no problem including them as a treat occasionally as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
For people with Type 1 diabetes, sugary drinks or food are essential to treat a hypo, which happens when their blood glucose levels get too low.
People with Type 2 diabetes don’t have to cut sugar out of their diet completely. Sugar is naturally found in fruit, vegetables, and dairy foods, so it’s important they don’t cut these out since they provide valuable energy and support overall health. It’s the free sugar and hidden sugar lurking in many foods, as well as some drinks packed with sugar, that we all need to cut down on.
A healthy diet and staying active will help everyone manage their blood sugar levels, control their weight and generally feel better. While moderation is key, people with diabetes can definitely enjoy sugar occasionally as part of a balanced diet.
Myth 4: It’s your own fault you have diabetes
The truth: Nobody chooses to get diabetes, regardless of the type. Diabetes isn’t directly caused by a person’s actions. It’s a complex condition with many different types and stages, and there are numerous contributing risk factors.
Type 1 diabetes is linked to genetic and environmental factors and is an auto immune condition. Type 2 diabetes is connected to age, ethnicity, whānau history, and a genetic pre-disposition. Gestational diabetes can also be linked to family history, but it can affect wāhine with no known risk factors.
The reality is it’s not anyone’s fault if they have diabetes. There are many factors at play.
For more information
There are so many more myths out there about diabetes. To learn the truth about diabetes, read the full resource at diabetes.org.nz/diabetesmyths
