Should you really eat sugar if you have diabetes?

By Douglas Twenefor

THERE are 3.5 million people in the UK diagnosed with diabetes so the likelihood is most of us will know a friend or family member living with it.
And that figure doesn't even take into account the estimated 549,000 people in the UK who have the disease and haven't been diagnosed yet.
But despite one in 16 of us being affected with this serious condition there is still far too little understanding about the nature of it. Read on to find out just how much you know.
TYPE 2 DIABETES IS A 'MILD FORM' OF DIABETES
It really upsets me when I hear this comment. All diabetes is serious and if not properly controlled can lead to serious complications such as blindness, kidney failure, amputation, heart attack and stroke. No one should be in any doubt that diabetes can be deadly.
Just because you can't see what's going on inside the body doesn't mean irreparable damage isn't happening. More often, major harm is already done by the time people recognise any symptoms of these complications.
As the number of people with the condition continues to rise, especially those with Type 2 diabetes, we need everyone to understand that we've got a crisis on our hands.
IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, YOU SHOULD NOT EAT SUGAR
Having diabetes does not mean you must avoid sugar entirely. People with diabetes should follow a healthy, balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, beans and pulses, nuts, fish and some dairy. You should still be able to enjoy a wide variety of other foods, including some with sugar in moderation.
Si King, one half of the Hairy Bikers, whose wife and son have diabetes, says: "If you enjoy baking but want to cut back on the amount of sugar, try using fresh or dried fruit such as bananas or raisins to add extra sweetness without the added sugar."
People sometimes think that if they have diabetes they can't eat grapes and bananas as they taste sweet. But if you eat a healthy diet that includes these fruits you can still achieve good blood glucose control. In fact grapes and bananas, as with all fruit, make a very healthy choice to replace sugary snacks.
Fruit is high in fibre, low in fat and full of vitamins and minerals. It helps to protect against heart disease, cancer and certain stomach problems. For recipes and tips for improving your relationship with food from clinical psychologist Dr Jen Nash, who also has Type 1 diabetes, visit diabetes.org.uk/enjoyfood
IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, YOU SHOULD EAT 'DIABETIC' FOODS
"Diabetic" labelling tends to be used on sweets, biscuits and similar foods that are generally high in fat, especially saturated fat and calories. Diabetes UK does not recommend eating "diabetic" foods, including diabetic chocolate, because they still affect your blood glucose levels, they are expensive and can give you diarrhoea.
So if you are going to treat yourself you should go for the real thing and limit your portion size.
IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IF YOU HAVE DIABETES
Providing you are responsible and have good control of your diabetes, research shows that people with the condition are no less safe on the roads than anyone else.
Nevertheless the myth that people with it are not safe drivers persists. Diabetes UK is working with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in England, Scotland and Wales and the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland to ensure the process for applying and reapplying for driving licences is fair, safe and transparent.
EVERYONE WHO HAS DIABETES IS OVERWEIGHT
This is wrong. Being overweight does increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes but there are other risk factors that play an important part, such as age, family history and ethnicity. Type 1 has nothing to do with weight or lifestyle.
CHILDREN WITH DIABETES MUST HAVE EATEN A LOT OF SUGAR
Actually the vast majority of children with diabetes have Type 1 which is actually an autoimmune condition and not linked to diet or lifestyle at all.
Parents often say how hard it is to deal with this misconception as they feel they and their child are continually being blamed for something that they had no way of avoiding.
DIABETICS ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET COLDS AND OTHER ILLNESSES
Not true. While there is some medical research that may suggest people with diabetes are at higher risk of developing illnesses there's nothing to prove this conclusively.
But there are certain illnesses that are more common in people with diabetes and diabetes may also alter the course of an illness. A person with it may become more unwell or be unwell for longer than a person without the condition.
HAVING DIABETES MEANS YOU CAN'T DO CERTAIN JOBS
JOBS Being diabetic should not stop you from getting and keeping a job. However despite the Equality Act 2010 (Disability Discrimination Act in Northern Ireland) people with diabetes still face blanket bans in some areas of employment, including the Armed Forces.
Diabetes UK campaigns to lift discriminatory blanket bans and has an advocacy service aimed at helping people fight discriminatory practices in the workplace.
DIABETICS CAN'T WEAR FLIGHT SOCKS
Many flight socks carry the warning that they are not suitable for people with diabetes. If you have any circulatory problems or complications with your feet, such as ulcers, then speak to your GP before using them.
But if your feet and legs are generally healthy and you are normally active, using flight socks is unlikely to do you any harm. People with diabetes travel all over the world so you do not need to choose special holidays or curb your wanderlust.
The key is making the right preparations to minimise any potential problems and have an enjoyable safe trip.
• Douglas Twenefour is deputy head of care at Diabetes UK. For more information on Diabetes Week (June 12-18) visit diabetes.org.uk

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/679606/Health-expert-diabetes-sugar-eat