Do I have to ditch the carbs?
Fact: Carbohydrates are one of the main
energy sources for the body. You should strive
to eat three meals a day and have some
carbohydrates at each meal, keeping sensible
portion sizes in mind. Eliminating
carbohydrates entirely will likely cause you
to feel drained of energy. And the drastic
change can lead to feelings of deprivation.
Does needing insulin injections mean I failed?
Fact: Patients with Type 2 diabetes often
manage their condition with diet, exercise,
and medication. Sometimes, they reach
the point where they need insulin injections.
And when that happens, patients often feel a
sense of failure. Keep in mind, diabetes is a
progressive disease. Even if a patient “does
everything right,” the pancreas may wear down
and become unable to produce enough of
the insulin hormone the body needs. Insulin
should be viewed as one more tool in a
patient’s toolbox—one that can help them
live a healthy life.
Is it necessary to follow a diabetic diet?
Fact: Often, newly diagnosed patients
believe they must bid farewell to their favorite
foods. No more birthday cake. No chips.
No sweets. There is no diabetic diet. By learning
to count carbohydrates to control blood sugar
it’s possible to make all foods fit. Rather than
an all-or-nothing approach to change, seek
to find the middle ground and set small,
achievable goals that work with your current
eating patterns. Managing diabetes is not
all about diet. Lifestyle changes come into play.
Regular exercise, good sleep patterns,
and stress management all help manage
blood sugar levels.