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Are sugar diabetes, sugar sickness and Type 2 diabetes the same thing?

type 2 diabetes is sugar diabetes

What is sugar diabetes?

Essentially, sugar diabetes or sugar sickness is the same thing as Type 2 diabetes, just by a different name. Type 2 diabetes is also sometimes called Diabetes 2 – many different names for the same condition.

What’s interesting is that this name obviously came from the false assumption that diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar. These days, doctors and scientists have proven that Type 2 diabetes is not linked to how much sugar you eat but is closely linked to your diet. It might not be sugar as we know it (in tea or sweets or cakes). But if you eat too many carbohydrates (carbs), particularly refined carbohydrates like white bread, white rice, pap or pasta, as well as sugar sweetened fizzy drinks and junk food, that can lead to Type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is known as a ‘lifestyle disease’ because it is caused by a mixture of genetics (i.e. you inherit it from your family), poor diet and lack of exercise. A diet full of fatty and processed foods (like fast food), refined carbohydrates (like white bread and white rice) and without much wholegrains (like wholewheat bread), fresh fruit and vegetables can lead to Type 2 diabetes. And what’s interesting is that many fast foods are loaded with sugar – not only in the cooldrinks and desserts, but the food itself. Even things that don’t taste sweet are often full of sugar. The safest thing to do? Avoid junk food.

If you’re looking for some healthy food ideas, check out this basic diabetic menu for one week – it’s packed full of meals that are delicious and good for you. And then go out and get active!


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One Comment

  1. i appreciate your efforts to make people well rounded! great post! thanks

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Sweet Life is a registered NPO/PBO (220-984) with a single goal: to improve diabetes in South Africa. We are funded by sponsorships and donations from aligned companies and organisations who believe in our work. We only share information that we believe benefits our community. While some of this information is linked to specific brands, it is not an official endorsement of that brand. We believe in empowering people with diabetes to make the best decisions they can, to live a healthy, happy life with diabetes.

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