Hi. Getting married next year and would like to get my general weight back to before I was diagnosed with Lupus and lived on a diet of steriods. Doing all the usual suspects; exercise, sensible food eating etc.. But unable to do cardiovascular because of my knees and heart issues.
Would like to know, what's the rules or no go's around meal supplements/replacements for Lupus sufferers? Are you ok in taking them, if so which ones or not, any benefits etc. Etc..
Much appreciated.
Over on the PMRGCAuk forum we have loads of people who have lost weight or not put on weight with steroids (the only option to manage the symptoms) simply by cutting carbs drastically. Pred changes the way your body processes carbs as well as making your liver release random spikes of glucose into the bloodstream which, in turn, triggers the release of insulin but there isn't a meal to use it up. The insulin encourages the deposit of any excess carbohydrate as fat stores in the usual places.
You need to remove all processed carbs and keep fruit consumption down too - lots of sugar, healthier maybe but for this purpose still carbs. Above ground vegetables and salad stuff is good.
Many of us find this site useful - easy to remember pictures of what you can and what you shouldn't eat:
Low carb isn't no carb, so healthier. I lost 35lbs of pred-associated weight doing that and have kept it off for 5 years while still on pred - and at the time I couldn't exercise at all as I was on crutches because of achilles problems.
Thanks for your information and links. Most of my meal plates reflect the meat and vegetables pictures. I tried a form a keto in the past, but I didn't find it very effective but was becoming too expensive for me. The best diet is something that isn't a dramatic change or cost to your life, or you are likely not to complete it.
My question was relating mainly to shakes and bar, such as Slimfast etc..which is a different subject to your reply, but thanks for the additional info, nonetheless.
It was - but I disapprove of such diets so would never try them. They aren't cheap - avoiding carbs is affordable and a normal way to eat for the rest of your life.
Good luck
Agree with pmrpro. It's my opinion that diet supplements such as slimfast only contribute to stop start dieting. Better to control weight with food controls using real foods.
I personally haven't taken them and I agree with real foods best for weightloss. I found build up drinks hard going, when I had to take them after dramatic weightloss during a major flare up. In short, I get the impression that meal supplements work best if you haven't got health conditions. Not everything is for everyone, hence the question. So, I was just interested, aside from personal opinions, if anyone had discussed supplements with a medical professionals or a nutrionist and what they had to say factual regarding diets and Lupus.
You would probably do better juicing vegetables as your meal replacement. That way you would get some proper vitamins and minerals into your body instead of processed gunk. Instead of a manufactured snack you could eat an apple or some carrot or celery sticks.
I'll say no more. I think you can guess my take on these products.
Look at elemental diet. I was taking that for SIBO but could imagine would be good for weight management too. It didn't do anything bad for lupus, maybe even helped! It comes in powder form and you make a shake w it.
Hi:
My Daughter has an autoimmune disorder as I do (Sjogrens/Lupus) she has
been following the "Intermittent Fasting" program and has had good results.
She feels better and has lost weight and inches slowly. You can find info
on the program on the Internet.
Good luck
Maureen
are you SURE you can't do cardio exercises? I would really run that by your rheumatologist or heart doctor?
No, because cardio involves a lot of jump or knee movement and my knees have the onset of Osteonecrosis, so only low impact, which takes a lot of work to burn calories and fat.
is this a lupus rash? 
Does lupus get worse?
lupus
lupus?
Hypothyroidism and lupus
