So glad to find this place!

hippysprout wrote: »

Your body doesn't really differentiate sugar from fruit versus refined sugar. It won't have an effect on whether or not you develop diabetes, that's a myth. Type 1 diabetes is purely genetic, and has nothing to do with your sugar intake or the source from which you get that sugar. Type 2 is also genetic buy lifestyle factors are also part of that equation. Again though, nothing about sugar exactly, more about excessive calories and there are plenty of healthy foods that are just as (or more) calorie dense than sugar. The diabetes-sugar-demon was born because excessive sugary drinks are linked to type 2 diabetes - not because they have sugar, but because they have a lot of calories and people tend not to stop at one serving of anything, particularly drinks.

I don't mean to preach, I just have some experience in healthcare and I hate to see someone villainize a food - any food. Having said that, if sugary foods are your weakness, then I understand your desire to cut them out, and it will likely help you immensely in creating a calorie deficit. There are some foods I have to keep out of my house too or I'd gorge myself on them, I totally get that. Good luck to you, and welcome to MFP.

type 1 and 2 CAN be genetic but thats not always the case. lifestyle factors,meds,underlying health issues can contribute. type 1 https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/type-1-diabetes#genes

"HLA genes, including HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1, and HLA-DRB1, have many variations, and individuals have a certain combination of these variations, called a haplotype. Certain HLA haplotypes are associated with a higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes, with particular combinations of HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1, and HLA-DRB1 gene variations resulting in the highest risk. These haplotypes seem to increase the risk of an inappropriate immune response to beta cells. However, these variants are also found in the general population, and only about 5 percent of individuals with the gene variants develop type 1 diabetes.""

I have a genetic cholesterol issue that if not treated with diet,exercise and for me meds I could develop type 2 diabetes even though type 2 is not genetic in my family.my aunt developed hers due to being obese most of her life and she didnt develop hers until she was in her mid 70s. none of her parents(my grandparents) had it, my mom didnt, none of my grandmas siblings or my grandpas sibling has diabetes either. becoming overweight/obese can contribute to becoming dibaetic even if it doesnt run in your family. so no its not just genetics that cause it. its also not just lifestyle either. like I said certain medications can cause it. certain health issues can as well. many people with thryoid issues also can become diabetic.