Does sugar cause diabetes? And do you know how I can cut down on junk food?!
Question: My Dad thinks I'm at risk of getting diabetes because I consume a lot of sugar-from drinking 4 sodas a day and eating at least one sweet treat. I know that's not good for me, but is my sweettooth habit a diabetes risk. Does sugar itself cause diabetes, or is the risk from gaining weight from too much sugar? Also, my sister said she would treat me to a trip to Costa Rica if I lose 50 lbs. by the end of this year! That's another reason to cut down on the junk food! Any tips on how I can curtail my sweettooth? Thanks!
Answers: My Dad thinks I'm at risk of getting diabetes because I consume a lot of sugar-from drinking 4 sodas a day and eating at least one sweet treat. I know that's not good for me, but is my sweettooth habit a diabetes risk. Does sugar itself cause diabetes, or is the risk from gaining weight from too much sugar? Also, my sister said she would treat me to a trip to Costa Rica if I lose 50 lbs. by the end of this year! That's another reason to cut down on the junk food! Any tips on how I can curtail my sweettooth? Thanks!
No, sugar itself does not cause diabetes directly, but excess consumption can lead to obesity and insulin resistance in the long term, both precursors to Type 2 diabetes (Type 1 is not linked to lifestyle).
Eating high glycemic foods often and in large amounts has been shown to increase insulin resistance in the body, and the excess calories lead to obesity. Avoid all simple sugars, processed foods, and trans fats. In fact, studies have directly linked a diet high in high fructose corn syrup (Soda) to a person's risk for Type 2 diabetes.
Eat lean protein like fish, good fats like olive oil, and lots of complex carbs and fibre sources like brown rice and veggies.
Being overweight and continuing to follow your current diet puts you at a much greater risk for Type 2 diabetes. You need to lose the weight through hard work, good old diet and exercise.
Please tell your dad that diet, obesity, and lack of exercise has nothing to do with Type 1 (formerlly called Juvenile Diabetes) diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a genetic autoimmune disease thought to be triggered by a viral infection. It is rarer, only accounting for 5-10% of diabetes cases.
Yes, excessive sugar intake can cause diabetes. And if you want to cut down on the junk food, stop eating it.
Well, excessive weight can cause diabetes, and sugar makes diabetes worse, though eating it in itself doesn't really "cause" the diabetes, thought it may unmask it or make it worse in someone with a borderline case.
No, eating sugar does NOT cause diabetes. Not producing enough insulin or being resistant to insulin does.
However, obesity causes insulin resistance, so eating all that sugar is not good for you. You're getting no nutrition from sodas....just empty calories.
Put 10 and three quarter teaspoons of sugar in a plastic bag. That's how much sugar a soda has. When you feel like drinking a soda, look at the bag with the sugar and ask yourself if that is really what you want to eat.
Try diet soda instead....and fruit instead of the candy bar.
To help you loose weight, increase your metabolic rate so you'll burn more calories:
1. Don't skip breakfast. Your metabolic rate increases when you eat the first meal of the day. Plus, having breakfast lowers cholesterol.
2. Have breakfast early.
3. Exercise in the morning. That will increase your metabolic rate for the rest of the day, so you will burn more calories.