If you or someone you love is navigating life with diabetes, you’ve probably heard a lot of advice—some helpful, some hurtful, and some that’s just plain wrong. As women in the helping professions—caregivers, healers, nurturers—we often carry the emotional weight of others while quietly managing our own health battles. Whether it’s emotional eating, chronic fatigue, or a long-standing struggle with low mood, misinformation can keep us stuck.
Let’s set the record straight. Today, I’m sharing 7 powerful truths about diabetes that could change how you view the condition and yourself.
1. Fruit Isn’t the Enemy—Even If You Have Diabetes
Myth: “Diabetic patients should avoid sweets and fruit.”
Truth: Not necessarily. In fact, fruit—especially whole fruits that are rich in fiber and have a low to moderate glycemic index—can be part of a healthy diabetes-friendly diet.
Yes, moderation matters. Yes, blood sugar levels should be monitored. But let’s not forget: fruits come with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber that support your overall wellness. And in moments of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), fast-acting carbs like fruit or juice can literally be life-saving.
✅ Key takeaway: You don’t have to fear fruit. Choose whole, high-fiber options like berries, apples, and bananas, and pair them with healthy fats or proteins to help stabilize blood sugar.
2. Craving Sweets? Don’t Restrict—Redirect with Fiber-Rich Sweet Foods
Old story: “Diabetics can eat sweets in moderation—with careful monitoring of their carbohydrate intake.”
Let’s reframe that. Because here’s the truth: not all “carbs” are created equal—and it’s time we stop treating them like they are.
Yes, candy and cakes are simple sugars.
But sweet potatoes, carrots, apples, and beets?
Those are fiber-rich, nutrient-dense foods that also happen to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Instead of fighting cravings with restriction (which only fuels the emotional cycle), you can nourish your body with sweet-tasting whole foods that support your blood sugar and emotional well-being.
These naturally sweet, high-fiber foods:
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Keep your blood sugar levels stable
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Provide the pleasure and satisfaction your brain needs
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Support the process of type 2 diabetes reversal
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Help you feel emotionally safe around food again
This is how you win—not by white-knuckling it through cravings, but by giving your body what it’s truly asking for: nourishment and sweetness from nature, not from a package.
Practical swap examples:
| Instead of… | Try This… |
|---|---|
| Donuts or pastries | Raw vegan cinnamon rolls made from dates, nuts, and coconut |
| Ice cream | Frozen banana “nice cream” with almond butter and cacao nibs |
| Chocolate bars | Raw cacao energy balls with chia seeds and dates |
| Candy | Sliced apple or pear with tahini or almond butter |
| Cookies | Raw vegan oatmeal cookies made with flaxseeds and raisins |
These aren’t just “healthy swaps”—they’re deeply satisfying, emotionally grounding, and supportive of your body’s healing.
Your body isn’t bad for craving sweets. It’s asking for sweetness—physically and emotionally. The key is to meet that craving with smart choices that bring both joy and nourishment.
3. Blood Sugar Is About More Than Just Sugar
We often reduce diabetes management to “don’t eat sugar.” But that’s an oversimplification.
Diabetes health is about multiple lifestyle and biological factors, including:
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Carbohydrate quality and quantity
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Meal timing and food order
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Inflammation and oxidative stress
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Gut health and the microbiome
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Stress, sleep, and emotional well-being
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Physical activity
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Micronutrient sufficiency
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Substance use or toxicology
Your blood sugar is influenced by so much more than your sweet tooth.
Instead of restriction, think balance and empowerment. When you focus on gut health, sleep hygiene, movement, and whole foods, you’re naturally supporting your blood sugar without obsessing over every bite.
4. Diabetes Isn’t Just a “Weight Thing”
Myth: “Type 2 diabetes only affects people with obesity.”
Truth: While excess body fat is a major risk factor, type 2 diabetes can also occur in individuals of normal weight, due to factors like:
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Genetics
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Metabolic dysfunction
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Environmental exposures
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Hormonal imbalances (e.g. PCOS)
Mindset shift: Blame doesn’t belong here. Diabetes is not a moral failing. It’s a complex condition with multiple causes and you are not broken if you’re dealing with it.
5. Diabetes Affects the Whole Body—Not Just Blood Sugar
Diabetes doesn’t stop at glucose.
It can impact nearly every system in the body:
| Organ/System | Effect | Common Medications |
|---|---|---|
| Liver | Increases glucose production | Metformin |
| Brain | Appetite dysregulation, fatigue | Dopamine agonists, GLP-1s |
| Muscles | Insulin resistance | Metformin, Thiazolidinediones |
| Gut | Microbiome imbalance | Probiotics, Metformin |
| Immune system | Inflammation | Anti-inflammatories |
What this means for you: Symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, cravings, and inflammation aren’t “just in your head.” They’re part of a larger systemic issue.
6. Let’s Talk Language: Words Matter
Calling someone a “diabetic” might seem harmless, but it reduces a person to their condition. That can feel stigmatizing, especially for women already carrying emotional loads.
Instead, try:
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✅ People living with diabetes
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✅ Patients with diabetes
These terms emphasize the person first, not the diagnosis.
Why this matters: The way we talk about health shapes how we feel about health. Language can either empower or shame. Let’s choose words that heal.
7. Diabetes Isn’t “Cured” But It Can Go Into Remission
Terms like “cured” or “reversed” can be misleading. And I say this knowing I regularly use the term reversal so I am too working on changing my language.
Instead, the medically accurate term is remission when blood glucose levels return to non-diabetic levels for at least 3 months without medication.
But here’s the key: it requires continuous lifestyle management.
No quick fixes.
No magic pills.
Just empowered daily choices—nutrition, movement, rest, and emotional support.
Common Myths People Believe About Diabetes
From the emotional to the cultural, here are some of the most harmful and persistent diabetes myths that women in helping professions often internalize:
| Myth | Why It’s Harmful |
|---|---|
| “It’s self-inflicted.” | Promotes shame and blame. |
| “You can resolve it with meds only.” | Minimizes the power of lifestyle and support. |
| “You just need to stop eating sugar.” | Oversimplifies the complexity of diabetes. |
| “It only affects overweight or older people.” | Ignores genetic and environmental factors. |
| “It’s the same for everyone.” | Neglects personalized care. |
Truth: These myths not only misinform, they hurt. They prevent people from seeking support, owning their journey, or trusting their body.
Final Thoughts: You Are Not Alone in This
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by a diagnosis, confused by conflicting advice, or simply exhausted from trying to “get it right” all the time—take a breath.
You are doing your best.
You deserve compassion, not judgment.
You are more than your blood sugar numbers.
As women in helping roles, we often show up for others before ourselves. But your health—your joy, your vitality—is just as worthy of your love and attention.
Let this post be your reminder: diabetes doesn’t define you. Empowered education, supportive care, and emotional healing can make all the difference.
Quick Tips for Managing Diabetes Holistically:
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Don’t fear fruit—opt for fiber-rich options.
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Use language that empowers, not stigmatizes.
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Understand diabetes impacts your whole body.
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Shift focus from restriction to abundance.
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Know that remission is possible with consistent lifestyle support.
Ready to Feel Like You Again?
If you’re navigating chronic low mood, sugar cravings, burnout, or the emotional weight of managing your health while taking care of others — it’s time for a breakthrough.
In the Brain Health Breakthrough Coaching Program, we don’t just talk about food or numbers. We work holistically to:
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Heal your relationship with food
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Balance your blood sugar and mood
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Support your emotional and spiritual well-being
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Rewire the thought patterns keeping you stuck
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Create sustainable habits that feel nourishing instead of punishing
You deserve support from someone who sees you—not just your symptoms.
Join the Brain Health Breakthrough Coaching Program today and take the first step toward healing from the inside out.
Because when your brain is supported, everything starts to shift.
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