Person reviewing a glucose meter at a kitchen table surrounded by fresh vegetables, eggs, berries, and healthy ingredients, highlighting diabetes management, nutrition planning, and informed dietary choices.

Debunking diabetes diet myths: What healthcare professionals should know

Dispelling myths is crucial to diabetic patient care. Clinicia™, Sodexo’s clinical and patient nutrition brand, transforms health with evidence-based nutrition.

Keep reading

Misinformation is more than a nuisance in healthcare — it’s a barrier to better outcomes. And it’s not only patients who have to navigate through this noise. Healthcare providers and administrators can also become confused by misleading messages.  This issue is particularly prominent in diabetes nutrition education.

  • Myth 1: eating sugar causes diabetes

    Fact: Sugar alone does not cause diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, while Type 2 diabetes results from a complex interplay of genetics, insulin resistance, and lifestyle factors. Diabetes can also be a complication of medical conditions (such as cystic fibrosis) or medication (steroids prescribed after organ transplant, for example). Diabetes results from a range of factors. Poor overall diet is one of them but not sugar exclusively.

  • Myth 2: people with diabetes can’t eat carbs

    Fact: Carbohydrates aren’t the enemy. The type and quantity of carbs are more important than their mere presence in diabetes meal planning. Grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables — especially ones with high fiber content — should be part of a diabetes-friendly diet.

  • Myth 3: starchy foods are off-limits

    Fact: Starchy foods like potatoes, corn, and beans contain valuable nutrients and may be included in balanced diabetes meal planning. Portion control and choosing high-fiber, minimally processed options are key.

  • Myth 4: fruit is bad for diabetes

    Fact: Whole fruits are rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. They can support blood sugar control when consumed in appropriate portions. The only caution is consuming fruit juices and canned fruit in syrup as they are concentrated sources of carbohydrate.

  • Myth 5: you can eat anything if you’re on diabetes medication

    Fact: Medication supports blood sugar control, but it doesn’t replace the need for a nutrient-dense diet in the appropriate portions. Poor dietary choices can undermine medication effectiveness and increase the risk of complications.

  • Myth 6: a restrictive diet is necessary

    Fact: Current diabetes management guidelines have moved away from restrictions on individual nutrients and instead focus on foods.1-3 This new approach encourages people to think in terms of eating patterns, or the totality of what they consume. Eating patterns such as the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Mediterranean Diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), vegetarian, and low-fat are recommended starting points.1,2

  • Myth 7: generic meal plans must be followed

    Fact: There is no one-size-fits-all meal plan for people with diabetes. A comprehensive nutritional assessment by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is crucial for successful diabetes management. The RDN has the expertise to develop an eating plan that addresses many different facets — individual energy and nutrient needs, metabolic goals, preferences, and lifestyle (tradition, culture, religion, work, family, health beliefs, etc.).2,3 While pre-made eating plans can be helpful for ideas, the RDN knows how to tailor them to avoid potential malnutrition and poor blood sugar control.

  • Myth 8: sugar substitutes should always be used

    Fact: Replacing added sugars with sugar substitutes could decrease daily intake of carbohydrates and calories. However, they should not be viewed as a free pass for unlimited consumption. There is insufficient evidence that sugar substitutes lead to long-term weight or diabetes control.2,4 “Sugar-free” also does not mean “calorie-free” or “healthier.” Sugar-free foods can still be high in carbohydrate and are highly processed.

How registered dietitians support diabetes management

Registered Dietitians can support diabetes management by connecting individualized nutrition care with the broader clinical plan. Through nutrition assessments, meal planning, blood glucose education and patient counseling, they can help patients understand and manage their nutritional needs while coordinating care across treatment teams. Their clinical perspective can also support chronic disease management and smoother transitions between inpatient and outpatient care, helping identify changes in intake, gaps in nutrition intervention and other factors that can affect outcomes. By working alongside physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other care team members, registered dietitian workforce solutions help integrate nutrition into the larger care plan and support more consistent, patient-centered care.

Takeaway for healthcare leaders

Loading component...

Loading component...

References

  1. American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. 5. Facilitating Positive Health Behaviors and Well-being to Improve Health Outcomes: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2025. Diabetes Care. 2025;48(1 Suppl 1):S86-S127. doi:10.2337/dc25-S005
  2. Evert AB, Dennison M, Gardner CD, et al. Nutrition Therapy for Adults With Diabetes or Prediabetes: A Consensus Report. Diabetes Care. 2019;42(5):731-754. doi:10.2337/dci19-0014
  3. Briggs Early K, Stanley K. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: The Role of Medical Nutrition Therapy and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in the Prevention and Treatment of Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2018;118(2):343-353. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2017.11.021
  4. Use of Non-Sugar Sweeteners: WHO guideline. World Health Organization. Published 2023. Accessed September 25, 2025. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/367660/9789240073616-eng.pdf?sequence=1

Read our latest stories