Don’t Bombard Your Loved Ones with Questions About Diabetes

Speak Positive or Encouraging Things to Your Friend with Diabetes

Diabetes is common in India and living with the disease successfully is by itself a monumental task. Getting awkward comments and insensitive remarks accumulate to the existing difficulties. Friends, coworkers or strangers can sometimes pass judgement based on some myths or stereotypes. More than knowing about what to say to a diabetic, it is crucial to understand what should not be told to a person with diabetes. Registered dietitian nutritionists list down some commonly commented diabetes myths, the actual truth behind them and alternative ways to support diabetics.
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1. Do you crave for sweets and eat too much of them? Maybe that is the reason for your diabetes!
   Firstly, diabetes does not happen because of consuming too many sweets and the reasons are more complicated. Type 1 diabetes is because of autoimmune response in the body, genetics and certain other factors that have not yet been uncovered. There is no way to curb the attack of Type 1 diabetes until now. Type 2 diabetes can be due to genetics, lifestyle and certain other factors. We can prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes to some extent but there is no single cause for it.
2. “Don’t you think you should avoid eating that food?”
   People with diabetes should think before eating anything although there is no specific diet called “diabetes diet”. They should eat a well-balanced diet just like any other individual. If you are concerned about a diabetic show your support by picking some healthy foods from the table yourself and by having nutritious choices spread on the table when you are planning to host a dinner party.
3. “You don’t look like you have diabetes!”
   There is no specific look associated with diabetes. Although obese or overweight people are at an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, there are also individuals who are thin or at a healthy weight but have Type 2 diabetes. Remember that any individual can be affected by diabetes.
4. “You have severe blood sugar ranges that you can control it only with insulin?”
   This is a mistake most individuals make-associating insulin injections with a more severe form of diabetes. Diabetes affects every person differently. People with Type 1 diabetes comparatively use more insulin as their body is devoid of any insulin. People with Type 2 diabetes produce insulin keeping it under control with medication. Over time, they might also need insulin to maintain proper blood sugar levels. There is nothing such as good or bad diabetes and one should not be judged depending on the medicine intake or insulin use. It is best to work with a health care team which includes a nutritionist/dietitian to customize best food, activity and medication plans for the person with diabetes. Get in touch with renowned dietitians/nutritionists at www.firsteatright.com for support.
5. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know that you were a diabetic.”
   While this might sound good to you, calling a person ‘diabetic’ can hurt them. They feel labeled by their chronic illness and feel offended. It is better to tell, “I didn’t know you have diabetes.”
6. “Did you do something wrong? Your blood sugar levels are on the higher side.”
   Blood sugar levels are important to make diabetes-related decisions. They are not a measure of success or failure, but should be used to alter diabetes management. There are many other factors that affect blood sugar levels and some of these are beyond a person’s control. Instead of branding someone that they have done something wrong, try to speak a few positive words and encourage the person.
7. “I hope that you don’t get into any diabetes complications like my friend.”
   ​People with diabetes are already stressed and tensed. There is no need to terrorize them more with stories of diabetes complications. There are many advancements in diabetes care that have reduced the rates of complications. You physician is the best person to choose the perfect plan for you and he/she might even encourage you to attend diabetes education programs.