National Diabetes Week 14-20th JULY
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is one of the fastest-growing chronic conditions in Australia1. It is the most common form of diabetes making up 85-90% of all people diagnosed with the condition.
In Type 2 Diabetes, the body is unable to convert the foods we eat into energy to keep us going. This is because the body can no longer produce sufficient insulin to convert the glucose in our blood into energy, or the action of insulin is no longer as effective.
Knowing where to start with managing T2DM can be overwhelming, especially when there is so much information out there on how to best manage this condition.
At Western Sydney Nutrition and Dietetics, our team of Accredited Practising Dietitian provide evidenced-based dietary advice and education.
From listening to the many questions in our consultation rooms, here are the 5 most common misunderstandings of Type 2 Diabetes.
1. Does eating too much sugar cause diabetes?
Being mindful of what you eat is important in preventing the risk of T2DM and diabetes management. However, there are a combination of both genetic and lifestyle factors which influence the risk of developing T2DM.
Non-modifiable risk factors include: having a family history of T2DM, Age, Ethnicity, Gestational Diabetes during pregnancy and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
Eating too much sugar alone does not cause diabetes, but being at an unhealthy weight, a poor diet, insufficient physical activity and high blood pressure increases your risk of developing T2DM.
The good news is that these lifestyle factors are modifiable, meaning that you can be proactive in making a change.
2. I can’t have any bread, pasta, rice or sweet and sugary foods anymore.
As a Dietitian, I hear this one a lot. Many times, people with T2DM tell me that they feel miserable and unwell from cutting out the bread, pasta, rice, sweet and or sugary foods from their day.
This misunderstanding is very dangerous and could result in hypoglycaemia2.
Hypoglycaemia occurs when a person’s blood sugar levels have dropped too low. It requires immediate treatment to prevent the person from becoming seriously unwell. Symptoms to watch out for include perspiration, shaking, dizziness, confusion and light-headedness.
What we all need to know is that carbohydrates are an important macronutrient. It the main source of energy for our bodies, especially our brain.
Carbohydrates make up 45-65% of our total energy intake and are found across many food groups including: grains and cereals, vegetables, fruit, dairy and alternatives. Excluding foods from these groups prevents your body from getting the sufficient energy it needs to keep you going.
It is important include carbohydrates in your diet by eating a nutritious and balanced diet. Choose whole foods and reduce your intake of processed and packaged foods, including those containing added sugars and fats.
3. Will cutting out all sweet foods and carbohydrates cure my diabetes?
It is important to remember that T2DM is a condition where the function of insulin in the body is impaired. This means that it is vital for you to continue taking any diabetic medication or insulin injections your doctor has prescribed to manage your condition.
With diabetes management, an appropriate reduction in carbohydrate foods including sweet and sugar foods can help with improving blood glucose levels. Excluding carbohydrates all together is not safe, as it could result in hypoglycaemia and does not cure diabetes.
Some studies have shown that a combination of sustained lifestyle changes can result in long term improvements in blood glucose, improve insulin resistance and in some, reverse diabetes3,4. These changes include making appropriate dietary modifications, weight loss and sufficient physical activity.
Diabetes Take-aways
- Carbohydrates alone are not responsible for causing Type 2 Diabetes
- Making changes to your lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of T2DM, improve your insulin resistance and in some cases reverse T2DM. This includes eating a nutritious and balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly.
- Dietitians play an important role in the dietary management of Diabetes. This includes providing education, monitoring and equipping you with the skills to understand how carbohydrates work in your body.
Dietitian services are available with our Accredited Practising Dietitians at our Penrith, Westmead and Norwest Rooms. We are also offering MEDICARE funded Group Education Session for those with Type 2 Diabetes. Give us a call today on (02) 4721 5788 to find out more today.
References:
- Diabetes Australia; 2015; Diabetes globally (online). Available from; https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/diabetes-globally. Last Accessed; 04/07/19
- Diabetes Australia; 2015; Hypoglycaemia (online). Available from: https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/hypoglycaemia. Last Accessed 04/07/19
- Hallberg, S. J., Gershuni, V. M., Hazbun, T. L., & Athinarayanan, S. J. (2019). Reversing Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Review of the Evidence. Nutrients, 11(4), 766. doi:10.3390/nu11040766. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6520897/. Last Accessed 04/07/19
- Diabetes Co UK; 2019; Reversing Type 2 Diabetes (online). Available from https://www.diabetes.co.uk/reversing-diabetes.html. Last Accessed 04/07/19
