Low Carb eating or anti-inflammatory?

[HJC321]

With the situation of whether I have PMR or just bouts of Osteo-Arthritis - I want to do everything I can to eat the right diet. I sent off for a low carb diet book, it hasn’t arrived yet. I have got an anti-inflammatory diet for beginners book though. Does anyone know if these two plans endorse the same way of eating?

[Hidden]

There are significant overlaps. Mainly as both advocate lots of vegetables, soft fruits and good fats. There seems to be a debate around the nightshade family ... tomatoes, potatoes, aubergine etc. They share a property that is supposed to cause inflammation. But I have also seen websites etc saying tomatoes were anti-inflammatory. But basically drop all processed foods and have a diet rich in a rainbow of above ground veg....berries and soft fruits, good fats like olive oil and dairy like Greek yoghurt.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Low carb IS antiinflammatory in that sugar and simple carbs are very pro-inflammatory.

Sometimes the anti-inflammatory diets are complicated and rule out good foods that wouldn't make a difference to YOU. I tried eliminating nightshades for example - made no difference except to make my diet boring (I eat tomatoes and peppers a lot).

But why spend money? Look at

dietdoctor.com/low-carb

Free and always there ...

[HJC321 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMRpro and Poopadoop. I had heard that the nightshade family should be avoided, but it’s good to know that for you, eliminating them didn’t make a difference.

Have looked quickly on the low carb website you gave me - thanks - see that potatoes and bread should be eliminated - that will be difficult but obviously not impossible if one wants inflammation relief. Must study it more and think of alternatives to my usual sandwich lunch and meat, POTATOES and veg evening meal 🤔.

[Marijo1951 in reply to HJC321]

I've found that cauliflower mash (lots of recipes online) is a brilliant substitute for mashed potatoes. In fact I prefer it now. Sadly we've been told that the cauliflower crop in Lincolnshire has been devastated by rain at the wrong time. I've also sometimes bought cauliflowers imported from Brittany, but who knows the future for these imports?

[HJC321 in reply to Marijo1951]

Really? Is it not a bit bland/boring or do you add anything to it.

It’s a shame some crops have been devastated by rain ☹️ - at least supermarkets will get them even at an inflated price. Thanks 😊

[HJC321 in reply to HJC321]

Just seen your advice for online cauliflower recipes!

[Marijo1951 in reply to HJC321]

Well, mashed potato is rather boring on its own without gravy or something. The main purpose of all white carbs (spuds, bread, pasta, rice, couscous etc) is probably to act as the bland base to all the other stuff that goes with them. That is what has made it rather difficult for me to live without them.

Having said all that, I do tend to jazz up the mashed cauli with a bit of garlic or parmesan cheese.

[Hidden in reply to Marijo1951]

Confession.....my favourite childhood comfort foods? Mashed potato on cheap white bread with lots of salt. Haven't had it for nearly 3 years. 😱😭

[HJC321 in reply to Hidden]

Omg!! A childhood treat but imagine if we ate like that now 😆

[Hidden in reply to HJC321]

I know. It was a yearly nostalgia treat. It never disappointed but I would be rolling down the street if I had it now!

[Rosbud in reply to Hidden]

Bubble and Squeak sandwiches, oh not had one for years !

[HJC321 in reply to Rosbud]

Well......maybe made with good quality bread 🤔??

[Rosbud in reply to HJC321]

Oh yes and lots of proper butter!

[Janstr in reply to Marijo1951]

And cauliflower chopped up to the size of rice can boiled & used as a rice substitute. It sounds awful, but it's not, as it absorbs the flavours of whatever is with it. We have completely replaced potatoes with cauliflower in one form or another ( except when out when I must admit I can't resist chips)

Ginger is a great anti inflammatory & can be added to list if things as well as drunk with water as tea.

[HJC321 in reply to Janstr]

More good tips - thanks! 😊

[Marijo1951 in reply to Janstr]

I've tried cauliflower rice but prefer the mash, probably because it's an excuse to pile in the cream and/or butter. I've also been quite successful making courgette spaghetti, having found a brand new spiraliser in my local charity shop.

[Hidden in reply to Marijo1951]

The great thing is the cream.and butter is still low carb. A recent report said saturated fats not as bad as thought and that they allow certain vit and minerals to be more easily accessed!😁

[Marijo1951 in reply to Hidden]

The sort of research I like!

[Hidden in reply to HJC321]

I heard the same...but Kate Gilberts book refutes the myth in that no confirmed link was found...

I've always eaten healthy...but lately I have experienced awful sugar cravings..

I'm sure you will benefit from a healthy eating regime!

[HJC321 in reply to Hidden]

Yes! I do eat healthily most of the time. I must read Kate Gilbert’s book me thinks.....🤔 having list 1st- 7lbs this year on SW - I don’t really want to follow another “plan” as such, but need to know important foods to eliminate.

Poor you with sugar cravings! 🥴

[Hidden in reply to HJC321]

You cant really go wrong with SW. My sister loves it. They advocate healthy eating...just be weary of the SW branded desserts...some can be laden with hidden artificial sugars and preservatives...but I'm sure you are sensible!

[Highlandtiger in reply to Hidden]

I got the sugar cravings too - and I've never ever had a sweet tooth. Those cravings have gone or at least have reduced significantly as the pred dosage has gone down.

[Hidden in reply to Highlandtiger]

Hope mine subsides too...seeing the doctor on friday to try a second attempt at reduction. The last one didnt work at all. I'm hoping he is not too ambitious in dropping by 2.5mg again. I shall politely but firmly ask to reduce by no more than 1mg.

[HJC321 in reply to Hidden]

At the end of the day, you know your body best - good for you, polite but firm sounds a good plan 👍

[Highlandtiger in reply to Hidden]

After a couple of flares after previous (too) quick taper advice (from a different GP) I printed out DL's excel spreadsheet and took it with me when I saw "my" GP the next time and told him that was what I was planning on doing. He'd never seen or heard of it before but said it sounded "eminently sensible" and was happy for me to proceed on that basis. I think having something on paper that he could see probably helped. Might be worth a try?

[Hidden in reply to Highlandtiger]

Good idea. I will take it with me too. Hopefully he wont feel im telling him how to do his job!

[Highlandtiger in reply to Hidden]

Try and approach it in a way to make him think it is really his decision..........

Good luck. To be fair mine was really interested in it and I think may be suggesting it to other patients now.

[Hidden in reply to HJC321]

The strange thing is that, having loved tinned tomatoes all my life, I suddenly couldn't even look at a tin without feeling nauseated about 5years ago. Fresh tomatoes i seem ok with, even when cooked into a sauce. It does make you wonder about the weird and wonderful thing we call a body, and whether it usually knows what it needs and what it doesn't need/want.

[HJC321 in reply to Hidden]

How strange regarding your sudden dislike of tinned tomatoes! This does happen I know.

Just wish I could feel nauseated by chocolate 😆 - I think my body needs it!!!

[Hidden in reply to HJC321]

🤣🤣🤣

[Highlandtiger in reply to Hidden]

That would be disastrous for me!! Do you still feel this way? And does it also apply to things cooked with tinned tomatoes?

[Hidden in reply to Highlandtiger]

Yes. I can tolerate passata but not tinned plum or...gulp....chopped tomatoes.

[Highlandtiger in reply to Hidden]

It's so weird isn't it. Why tinned but not fresh or passata? I have my fingers crossed it doesn't happen to me. Your story of the childhood treat of mashed potato on cheap white bread with lots of salt made me laugh and reminded me of the white bread sandwiches just made with butter and (lots of) sugar we used to get as childhood treats......I think I'd blanked them out from my memory!

[Hidden in reply to Highlandtiger]

I think it was a cheap way of getting full and tingling the taste buds.

[Devoid]

I have been advised to go for a Mediterranean diet, not so restrictive as low carb and not eliminating a lot of foods which could be beneficial.

[HJC321 in reply to Devoid]

Can you eat bread and potatoes on it?

I wonder if sweet potatoes are better? 🤔

[Devoid in reply to HJC321]

The nurse advised a third of the meal should be unrefined carbs ,so good bread , and avoid processed food, you could give it a try and then eliminate more carbs if you feel it’s not doing anything for you, but from what I can gather this is a long road, so it makes sense to find something that’s both beneficial and doable

[HJC321 in reply to Devoid]

Good advice - thanks!

[Hidden in reply to HJC321]

They do have vits and mineral. But it's quantity you need to watch....but anything that helps is my view.

[PMRCanada in reply to Devoid]

I adopted a modified type of Mediterranean diet (little or no bread, pasta, potatoes, rice). Lots of protein, veg, good fats (olive oil, butter, coconut oil), full fat cheese and plain Greek yogurt, and fruit.

It worked like a charm, down 32 pounds for over a year now, which is necessary for my impending knee replacement surgery. I’ve also stopped taking my medication for high blood pressure because of my new, more active lifestyle and healthy eating.

My daughter helped me at the beginning (she’s a nutritionist), and advised that I try low carb, sugar, salt, but not totally eliminate any of the major food groups. This keeps the menu interesting, diverse, and easy to stick too. I also avoid processed foods and alcohol.

[HJC321 in reply to PMRCanada]

Well done! Another person on the right track. Reducing inflammation as well as losing weight 👍.

I think for me, it will be hard to cut out bread. Have always had a quick sandwich lunch 🥴 although don’t mind spending more time on evening meal preparation. What would you suggest for quickish lunches?

[PMRCanada in reply to HJC321]

I enjoy a salad with protein for lunch (chicken, tuna, steak), or a big bowl of homemade hearty chicken veg soup). Lastly I sometimes have a veg and cheese omelette for lunch or dinner.

If you go on a keto diet website you can find a recipe for carb-free bread.

I do enjoy potatoes, rice or pasta once per week, usually with supper, but admittedly don’t miss bread or cereal as it wasn’t a big part of my diet to begin with. Salt is my biggest challenge, usually in the form of dill pickles.

When I’m really craving something satisfying, I grill steak with veggies and it serves to satisfy me.

[cranberryt]

Search for cauliflower pizza crust recipe. You can use it for flatbread as well. There are other keto breads too that have no carbs. Cauliflower is a great substitute for potatoes and rice. zucchini and spaghetti squash sub for pasta. I have been low carb for almost 2 years and although I do miss chips and bread this lifestyle change has allowed me to lose a lot of weight and keep inflammation down even while having PMR and taking prednisone.