There are many myths about diabetes floating around out there. You may have heard some of the more common ones, like eating too much sugar causes diabetes or people who have diabetes can’t eat sweets. The home care professionals at Visiting Angels of Fremont and Sunnyvale want to clear up some of these misconceptions. The following are some facts about diabetes and diabetes care:

1. Diabetes is a serious disease that requires regular care and monitoring. While many people with diabetes are able to live normal, healthy lives, diabetes causes more deaths per year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke. Maintaining a healthy diet and monitoring glucose levels regularly is essential.
2. Being overweight does not necessarily mean you will develop diabetes. Obesity is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, but most overweight people never develop it. Additionally, many people with type 2 diabetes are at a normal weight.
3. Eating too much sugar does not cause diabetes. It is important to eat a healthy diet, but simply eating too much sugar is unlikely to cause diabetes. Diabetes actually begins when something disrupts the body’s ability to turn food that is eaten into energy.
4. People with diabetes can still eat sweets. If eaten in moderation as part of a healthy meal plan or combined with exercise, sweets can be eaten by diabetics. However, diabetics must take their insulin prescription regularly as recommended to ensure that the sugar will be absorbed by the body and does not stay in the blood.
5. People with diabetes do not need to eat foods advertised as “diabetic foods”. A healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is generally the same as a healthy diet for anyone – low in fat, moderate in salt and sugar, with meals based on whole grains, vegetables and fruit. Diabetic and “dietetic” foods typically do not offer any special benefits. In fact, most of them still raise blood glucose levels, are generally expensive, and can have a laxative effect if they contain sugar alcohols.

Practicing good diabetes management is vital for diabetics, and having an in-home caregiver to help with medication reminders, monitor blood glucose levels and provide early recognition of potential complications can make all the difference in someone’s diabetic care. Call Visiting Angels today to schedule a home care aide who is well trained to assist a diabetic patient with maintaining good health.