My patients will often ask me open and honest questions about things they have heard or been told about their diabetes.  I have listed below a few of the most common myths that I hear. Never be afraid to ask if there is something you are concerned about because most of the time it isn’t true!

1. Insulin is bad for you– I will devote an entire blog to this topic in the future, but NO insulin is not bad for you.  Nor is it a punishment because you weren’t able to lose the weight or maintain good blood sugars by eating healthy. Remember, those with Type 1 diabetes need insulin to survive and therefore it is not bad- it is lifesaving! Insulin is something that many to most Type 2 diabetics will need at some point. If your doctor recommends that you go on insulin, then they feel that what you are currently doing  will not get your A1C to the goal of less than 7. Remember, most of the time it is just the normal progression of Type 2 which will require you to need insulin.
2. You can never eat sweets again– This is another future blog probably because it is the one that many of you are most curious about. The answer is YES of course you can still have sweets. Should you have them every day or more than once a day- No.  However, neither should those without diabetes. For special occasions I absolutely want you to enjoy and have some dessert but I intend to teach you how to eat the sweets to minimize the high blood sugar spikes. For now, enjoy!!… but try to limit to 1-3 per week.
3. I have “a little bit of sugar”– Pre diabetes refers to people whose blood sugars are not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes but they are not within normal limits. This group of people have time to make a change which could prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. Often this involves changing current eating habits and increasing activity levels. Even though this blog is devoted to helping those with diabetes, the changes you will read are without a doubt helpful for anyone also trying to prevent diabetes. I urge you to make changes starting TODAY if you are in this category. Once your doctor makes the diagnosis of diabetes, you no longer fall into the pre diabetes category.
4. My diabetes is cured- Sometimes the positive changes you make will help you to decrease or even stop the medication you are taking. And while this is absolutely an amazing accomplishment (you should be proud!!) it does not mean that you no longer have diabetes. I hope that I can recommend many changes and tools that will empower you to improve your blood sugars.  That is still the goal, and being able to decrease the medications you are taking is definitely a positive outcome! Unfortunately, any amount of weight gain or decrease in activity could cause the numbers to rise again. But do not lose hope, your desire to make the changes is what brought you here and I will help you as much as I can.
5. Complications are inevitable- Please know that this is probably the most concerning to many that I work with, but know that if any of your family members suffered a complication of diabetes, that does not mean that it will also happen to you. Complications occur from years of high blood sugars so if you are able to get your blood sugars under control then it does not have to happen. This is the goal for lifeunder7, to help you all avoid these complications and live your healthiest life!!

Your “just for today” challenge is to not have dessert- remember its just for today 🙂 but your overall goal is to limit your desserts to 1-3 times a week. Be honest with yourself and decrease from what you are currently doing. Any change will have a positive effect!!