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HEALTH & WELLNESS - November is Diabetes Awareness Month — a time when county health officials, community organizations, and local media shine a light on a disease that affects millions in Los Angeles.
While Los Angeles has one of the most diverse food landscapes in the world, it also boasts some of the worst nutrition confusion in the country. With diabetes rates climbing across LA County, especially in communities already facing health inequities, a major new national survey sheds light on a quiet but powerful contributor: widespread misunderstandings about what people with diabetes should eat.
A new survey from Love One Today found that Americans, particularly those living with Type 2 diabetes, are overwhelmed by conflicting advice, diet rules, and social media health trends. These findings mirror challenges public health leaders in Los Angeles have raised for years — and they point to where the city can take meaningful action.
Below, we break down the survey’s most compelling insights and what they mean for Angelenos.
The Hidden Role of Nutrition Myths in LA’s Rising Diabetes Rates
Decades-old beliefs about sugar, fruit, and fat still shape the way many people approach food — and the consequences are real. According to the study, 53% of people with Type 2 diabetes avoid fruit, often because they mistakenly believe natural sugar is unsafe. Another 48% think all fats should be restricted, despite substantial evidence that healthy fats support better long-term health.
These misconceptions don’t exist in a vacuum. They shape grocery choices, determine what families buy in neighborhoods with limited healthy options, and influence dietary habits passed from generation to generation. In a city where access to nutritional foods varies widely by ZIP code, misinformation can deepen existing health gaps.
Younger Adults Report the Highest Levels of Diet Anxiety — Here’s Why That Matters for LA
One of the study’s most striking findings is that younger adults under 44 report significantly more anxiety about eating fruit than older adults. In fact, 60% of younger adults said they felt unsure about which fruits they could safely eat, compared with just 39% of people over 60.
This is particularly concerning for Los Angeles, where Type 2 diabetes is rising fastest among younger adults — especially in communities of color. Younger residents are also more likely to be the primary decision-makers for their households, meaning their anxiety influences the entire family's diet. When basic foods like fruit become a source of stress, it creates a ripple effect with long-term health implications.
Social Media Is Becoming LA’s Most Influential (and Problematic) Nutrition Advisor
The study highlights a growing generational divide in trusted nutrition sources.
While 66% of adults say they rely on healthcare providers, dietitians report that many patients make food decisions based on advice from friends, family, and social media influencers.
In a city like LA — where wellness trends rise and fall weekly — this influence is powerful. From extreme low-carb trends to fear-based “don’t eat this” videos, misinformation spreads fast. People living with diabetes report feeling overwhelmed, unsure whether to trust their doctor, a TikTok creator, or a relative who swears by a restrictive diet.
This is more than just a cultural quirk. When inaccurate advice becomes mainstream, residents with diabetes may skip nutritious foods, avoid fruits, or eliminate healthy fats that could support better glucose management.
Healthy Food Is Plentiful in LA — So Why Are People Still Afraid to Eat It?
Los Angeles is home to farmers' markets, community gardens, multicultural produce, and year-round access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Yet the study found that many people with diabetes feel uncertain about eating foods that dietitians consider highly beneficial.
This mismatch between availability and confidence is rooted in two competing realities:
- LA offers extraordinary access to fresh, whole foods, particularly in wealthier neighborhoods.
- LA also has some of the most persistent diet misinformation pressures, from wellness fads to restrictive influencer content.
When Angelenos feel unsure about fruit or fear healthy fats like avocados, nuts, or even oils, it means diet culture is overpowering common sense — and even the city’s richest food resources can’t overcome that on their own.
How Misinformation Makes Diabetes Even Harder to Manage in Underserved Communities
In historically underserved neighborhoods — South LA, East LA, Pacoima, parts of the Harbor Region — diabetes rates are significantly higher. Residents often face a combination of:
- limited access to affordable groceries
- fewer nutrition education resources
- higher exposure to fast food and high-sugar beverages
- inconsistent healthcare access
- language and cultural barriers in health communication.
When misinformation about fruit, fats, or sugar spreads, it compounds these challenges. Fear-based food decisions can make diabetes more difficult to manage and increase the risk of long-term complications.
The Love One Today findings reinforce what local public health advocates have long argued: information equity is a crucial — and often overlooked — part of LA’s diabetes challenge.
When “Healthy Eating” Becomes a Source of Stress Instead of Support
Perhaps the most concerning insight from the study is the emotional burden of misinformation. Many people with diabetes described feeling afraid of making “the wrong choice,” anxious before meals, or guilty after eating foods they believed were off-limits.
This is especially true for younger adults navigating a constantly shifting wellness landscape. Instead of being empowered by nutrition knowledge, they feel scrutinized, confused, and discouraged.
Healthcare professionals across LA note that when eating becomes stressful, long-term management becomes significantly harder. Food anxiety can lead to overly restrictive habits, poor nutrition, or giving up altogether.
Where Angelenos Can Turn for Clear, Evidence-Based Guidance
For LA residents seeking reliable diabetes information, prevention tools, and community support, these trusted U.S. and California resources offer a strong starting point:
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Health – Diabetes Prevention Program
County-level education, prevention resources, community programs, and local data. - LA Care Health Plan – Diabetes Management Resources
Accessible support materials, nutrition guidance, and diabetes self-management tools for LA County residents. - UCLA Health Diabetes Program
Comprehensive clinical care, educational resources, and workshops available across multiple LA campuses. - Keck Medicine of USC – Diabetes and Endocrinology Services
Evidence-based education, patient programs, and endocrine care for adults and children. - Cedars-Sinai Diabetes & Obesity Programs
Patient education, nutrition counseling, and chronic-disease management resources. - American Diabetes Association
National guidance, meal-planning tools, research updates, and Diabetes Prevention Program information. - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Reliable, science-backed information on diabetes, complications, and treatment. - TCOYD (Taking Control of Your Diabetes)
San Diego–based national nonprofit offering conferences, online education, and practical resources for living well with diabetes.
A Path Forward for Los Angeles
The Diabetes Diet Confusion Report offers a clearer picture of what residents are struggling with — and why progress has been slow. But it also highlights an opportunity.
Los Angeles can reduce diabetes complications by:
- fighting misinformation with culturally relevant education
- expanding community-based nutrition support
- making credible resources more accessible
- empowering younger adults with accurate information
- challenging trend-driven wellness culture
As the city continues to grapple with chronic disease, improving nutrition literacy may be one of the most impactful — and overlooked — public health strategies available.
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