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Can I Get Diabetes From Eating Too Much Sugar?

Can you get diabetes from eating too much sugar? A diabetic forum post answers this question sweetly, "The only illness you will get from eating too much sugar is tooth decay . . ." This myth is till prevalent. Diabetic education is key to managing your disease.

  1. Misconceptions

    • Eating too much sugar does not cause diabetes. Though the cure for diabetes is not known, eating too much candy as a child is not the cause of your diabetes. There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when insulin-producing cells in your pancreas are destroyed. This is not from eating too much sugar. Type 2 diabetes begins when your body cannot respond to insulin. Type 2 diabetes is often genetic, not dietetic.

    Considerations

    • You can have your cake--just don't eat the entire cake. Excessive intake of any food type can cause weight gain and increase your risk of getting diabetes.
      Everything in moderation is always the best general guideline, but you should consult your doctor for guidance on healthy eating for a diabetic or to prevent diabetes.

    Warning

    • There are some things you cannot control to prevent the onset of diabetes. You cannot change your family tree. If you are African American, Asian or Hispanic you are at greater risk of developing diabetes. If you have several family members with diabetes, your chances are higher. If you had gestational diabetes or gave birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds, you are at higher risk. Become your own health advocate and ask your doctor for the appropriate tests.
      Other risk factors you can control through diet and exercise. You can control high blood pressure, your triglycerides levels, high fat diet and alcohol intake.

    Types

    • Different types of foods are digested differently. Potatoes, a starchy carbohydrate, take less than three hours to digest. Proteins take more than six hours. A potato can spike your blood sugar, while ice cream high in fat can take hours to spike your blood sugar.
      The best way to handle your diet and different types of foods is to count carbs in 15 g increments.

    Expert Insight

    • You should take advantage of the diabetic dietician and health professionals offered by your doctor or as part of your health-care plan.
      A nutritionist can teach you how to count carbs and keep your blood sugar at a healthy level. Counting carbs can become a habit and a means to a healthy life for a diabetic. Then you can plan to still enjoy your favorite desserts.

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