Myths: Jaggery and honey can be used to replace sugar.

Fact: In diabetic patients, jiggery or honey cannot be used as replacement of sugar as they add to equal amount of calories.

Myths: Diabetic patients should avoid rice products like kurmura or poha.

Fact: Diabetic patients need not avoid rice products like kurmura and poha as they are less bulkier than cooked rice and hence the when taken in medium quantity they do not lead to increase in blood sugar like cooked rice.

Myths: Diabetic patients should avoid milk.

Fact: Diabetic patients can take milk; however, it is advisable to prefer low fat or skimmed milk rather than whole animal milk.

Myths: Diabetic patients should avoid fruits.

Fact: Diabetic patients can take fruits as they are good sources of fibre and they help in lowering blood sugar levels; however, high calorie fruits like banana, chickoo, sitaphal, grapes and mangos should be avoided. Fruits juices too should be avoided.

Myths: There is no food item that can replace rice for providing satiety.

Fact: Rice can be replaced with broken wheat (dalia) or oats and consumed with dal and this combination does provide good satiety without increasing blood sugar.