Diabetes: Widely Believed Misconceptions That Are Not True

You Shouldn’t Exercise Because Of Your Sugar Level

Just because you have diabetes doesn’t mean you should stop pumping iron! In fact, countless long-term studies have found that exercise is one of the best treatments for diabetes, and it “can actually help the body use blood sugar more efficiently for up to 24 hours after you’ve completed the activity,” explains Snyder. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that among prediabetics, those who were prescribed a goal of 7 percent reduction in body weight and at least 150 minutes of exercise a week reduced their incidence of diabetes by 58 percent while a drug only reduced it by 31 percent.

You Can Eat Anything Once You’ve Sprinkle Cinnamon On It

This odd myth actually has some scientific backing: A series of studies printed in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition discovered that adding a heaping teaspoon of cinnamon to a starchy meal like overnight oats could help stabilize blood sugar and ward off insulin spikes. Experts believe that the spice’s powerful antioxidants, known as polyphenols, are at work; these active compounds have been proven to improve insulin sensitivity and, in turn, your body’s ability to store fat and manage hunger cues. But don’t rely on cinnamon as a magic cure-all. Just because it could help your body regulate blood sugar doesn’t mean you can sprinkle it on your food and eat with abandon.

You Must Not Eat Your Favorite Foods

According to Zanini, one of the most common questions asked at a patient’s first appointment was “Can I still eat my favorite foods?” Her answer? Yes! Just make sure you focus on portion size and frequency.

You Can Eat Any Fruit Anyhow

You’re right, fruit is healthy! It’s often full of cancer-protective antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, digestion-supporting fiber, and hydrating water. While there are many benefits of eating fruit, “we still want to be mindful of how much fruit we’re eating because it does contain sugar,” explains Isabel Smith, MS, RD, CDN, founder of Isabel Smith Nutrition and New York City-based celebrity dietitian. Because fruits still contain carbs and sugars—and some more than others—you have to be weary of how much you’re eating at a time.

 Supplements Can “Cleanse Away” Diabetes

“There is no cure-all diabetes cleanse. If there was, type 2 diabetes wouldn’t exist,” Snyder tells us. She said she’s heard of patients trying everything from drinking vinegar to eating citrus. Studies have even found that patients with diabetes are more likely to use dietary supplements and herbal therapies than people without diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. And while it’s tempting to fall prey to marketing claims that a supplement will act as a “magic bullet,” Snyder says the best way to cleanse your body is by consuming more digestion-slowing fiber.