How I helped my father unlearn diabetes myths

4
minute read
August 4, 2025
An elderly, Indian type 2 diabetic father.
Note: Image for illustration only. It does not show the author of this story. Photo credit: Mind Change Productions

When he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, my father’s first instinct was to dismiss it.

Having spent his entire life believing diabetes was simply about avoiding sugar and that home remedies could easily cure it, he felt he had nothing to worry about.

As an educated daughter, I had to be at the frontline of making my father unlearn every myth he had about diabetes. It was a journey that wasn’t easy for either of us. But I was determined to see it through because I knew unlearning these myths would play an important role in the rest of his life – He had to spend his remaining years with facts, not myths.

Here are some of the myths I heard from my father that I had to help him unlearn:

Myth #1 – If you’re not feeling sick, there’s nothing to worry about

One of the first and strongest myths my father believed was that diabetes isn’t a big deal if you don’t have symptoms or don’t feel sick. He thought as long as he felt fine there was nothing to worry about.

What he didn’t know was that diabetes is a silent disease which doesn’t always announce its presence. And that just because you don’t have any immediate pain or discomfort doesn’t mean it’s not doing you any harm.

I had to explain that even if he felt okay, high blood sugar damages the body over time. That it would affect his heart, kidneys, nerves and eyes, and that by the time symptoms appeared it might be too late to reverse the damage. So he had to monitor his blood sugar levels regularly and schedule regular checkups with his doctor.

I showed him true stories online from people who had once dismissed their diabetes and later suffered from complications like nerve damage and kidney failure. These stories from fellow diabetics helped a lot. Within a few days he understood he needed to take his diabetes seriously.

Myth #2 – Ayurveda can cure diabetes

My father, like many elders in Indian households, had immense faith in Ayurveda. And he strongly believed that neem leaves, methi seeds, and karela juice could replace modern medicine.

This is a cultural myth, one he’d believed throughout his childhood and into adulthood – Unlearning something like that is never easy.

I respect Ayurveda and I love our culture, but I also understand its limitations. While certain remedies are believed to help manage blood sugar, they cannot cure diabetes. And without a proven track record of success, it’s important not to rely on them.

I had to make my father understand that there is no cure for diabetes, and no one has ever been cured of their diabetes by Ayurveda. I pressed him to give me an example of one person who had, and since he couldn’t, he gave in.

It took time to convince him that he could still practice Ayurveda, but only as a supplement to his prescribed medication. This compromise allowed him to feel in control while making sure he got the medical care he needed.

Myth #3 – Diet alone can help control diabetes

Another myth my father held was that diet was the only thing that could help control diabetes. He initially thought that if he just ‘ate better’, he wouldn’t need medication.

What he didn’t understand was that diabetes management has to be balanced and needs to include exercise and medication as well as a balanced diet.

I explained this challenge to his doctor, who talked to him about it and, thankfully, was able to correct him. He started to take his medication more seriously and get more physical exercise. And through trial and error, I introduced gradual changes to his diet. Instead of banning his favourite foods outright, I found ways to make them healthier. And over time, he saw that these efforts, even the small ones, made a big difference in keeping his sugar levels stable.

Final thoughts

Helping my father unlearn his diabetes myths didn’t rely solely on my high level of education and knowledge – It took patience, understanding and persistence.

I couldn’t force change on him. I had to meet him where he was.

Our relationship played an important role in helping him unlearn myths and understand the facts. And as he learned, I learned too – That change takes time and that love and consistency are the best tools for breaking stubborn habits.

Today, my father no longer sees his diabetes as a minor inconvenience or a ‘punishment’. He sees it as a condition he can manage. And that, to me, is the greatest victory and a personal life achievement. And I’m very happy for him.

Profile photo of Lisa Hempstone, daughter of a type 2 diabetic.
Lisa Hempstone

Lisa Hempstone is the daughter of a type 2 diabetic. She lives with her father in a Kenyan-Indian household and is an only child. As a writer, she balances her life between managing her father’s diabetes, her work, studies, family and various societal responsibilities.

Editor's note: The opinions and experiences reflected in stories from the diabetic community belong to the authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of InDiabetes.

Looking for more stories like this?

A broken drinking glass with shattered pieces spread across the floor.
How negligence with diabetes caused serious health issues
November 7, 2022

Rabia's father is a type 2 diabetic who didn't take his disease seriously. Ignoring his condition caused serious problems though, and his kidneys began to fail.

Loaves of multigrain bread.
Conquering diabetes with diet and a positive outlook
October 31, 2022

Rimsha's mother was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Her doctor prescribed insulin, but by adjusting her diet she's kept her diabetes at bay without it.

Pieces of aloe vera cut and prepared for eating.
My mother’s journey with diabetes
October 28, 2022

Ifra's mother was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in her 50s. But by making simple changes to her diet and lifestyle, she's been able to stay healthy and happy.

Want to keep up with the latest news, stories and recipes?

Sign up and get the latest updates straight to your inbox.
Thanks for signing up with us! We look forward to having you in our community!
Oops! Something went wrong, have you filled in all your details correctly?