Diet for GCA and PMR

[SomersetWife]

Please could you point me in the right direction of helpful information or books to buy that will provide dietary advice? I understand that dietary changes are needed to mitigate the potential ill-effects of Pred. I would also like to know whether there is a specific 'anti-inflammatory' diet that you follow to help with either GCA, PMR or both. I should mention that I have to eat gluten free - although not diagnosed Celiac (my daughter is), I have a lot of IBS type symptoms if I eat any gluten at all by accident. Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I just cut carbs drastically - I also don't eat gluten in commercial wheat products but can eat rye, spelt and kamut as it is a specifically wheat starch allergy. Eating gluten-free isn't a problem with eating low carb - just an extra reason to leave them out.

You will find books claiming to be anti-PMR diets - IMHO they are a waste of money. Learning the principles of low carb eating and how to adapt your usual cooking habits is far more productive because introducing compltely new dishes isn't as easy as it might be after years of existing habits. Dietary approaches are important - but they need to be something you can sustain for life and that is why fad diets that include foods you have not eaten before or exclude too much are hard to adjust to and you lose motivation.

Knowing what you should avoid is important - often people say "I'm eating low carb but still gaining weight" but on asking for details it turns out they are eating a lot of fruit. Fruit is healthy but it contains a lot of sugar - and sugar is carbohydrate, It all adds up, even a salad has some carbs! Snazzy and I can only lose weight when we get down to about 20g of carbs per day. One apple, or one banana can take you above 20g on its own.

This site

dietdoctor.com/

provides a good background with images making it easy to see what is good or less good.

Cutting processed carbs and added sugar is also in and of itself anti-inflammatory and many of us find that that we can tell the difference when we splurge too much on what used to be a treat! One lady even found herself craving kale ...

[SomersetWife in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you so much for your very helpful reply and for the link. I am glad that you made the point of not introducing too many new foods - I think my tummy would rebel very badly!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SomersetWife]

I will eat almost anything but I did try the usual anti-inflammatory claim that nightshade veggies are bad. It made no difference - except to narrow down my choice of easily available foods. In fact, there is evidence that tomatoes are anti-inflammatory! Everyone is different and you have to work out what suits you and what not - and bear in mind you have to be able to afford it and it be in your shops.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

These might be a starter -

versusarthritis.org/media/1...

bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide...

There are plenty of recipes on line if you search, no need to buy books (initially anyway).

[SomersetWife in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you, I am making a file and saving these links - I have just bought Kate Gilbert's 'survival guide' book which I am looking forward to reading so was hoping not to have to spend more cash at the moment - online resources look good. Thanks again.

[SnazzyD]

Ditto everything PMRPro says. I just try to make it such that everything that goes in is good quality and ideally doesn’t come from a factory. Lots of good protein, oils and veg. I had an apple daily and a couple of squares of 85% dark choc and two small glasses of 11-12% wine per week once I could face alcohol around 20mg. Fruit tended to be berries and if my muscles got crampy I had a green banana (potassium) to go with my magnesium supplement. I too am gluten free and because I am not getting the wholemeal vitamins a make sure I supplement weekly (just don’t like daily everything, no science) with a B complex. Since I find gluten free most things a bit of a disappointment I did not miss bread or pasta, but a good chip, now that was a shame. As the dose reduced I allowed myself 3 or 4 a week.

I’m practically on zero Pred now, but still don’t eat much in the way of carbs on my plate as I don’t see the point in the padding; feels odd.

[Theziggy in reply to SnazzyD]

What do you do for protein?

[SnazzyD in reply to Theziggy]

Meat, fish, pulses (though not too many). Proteinacious seeds like quinoa. I’m almost non dairy so no cheese. I did eat a large amount of chicken and fish in the first year.

[Theziggy in reply to SnazzyD]

Hmm I'm an ovo lacto vegetarian SnazzyD

[SnazzyD in reply to Theziggy]

I guess you have to eat more than your usual amount of protein rich foods that you can eat. I was vegetarian for 2 years but had to stop as it made me rather unhealthy.

[Theziggy in reply to SnazzyD]

I have been vegetarian for 40+ years. I guess I must be eating enough protein! But I also know that I could improve my diet as I eat a lot of vegetarian junk food

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Theziggy]

I think that is the point isn't it? My daughter and granddaughter are both vegan. There are vegan things I really enjoy but I can't eat a lot of the "junk" replacement stuff as it has so much has wheat in it.

[SnazzyD in reply to Theziggy]

I increased the protein for Pred to try to balance the protein breakdown effect.

[Janetknit in reply to SnazzyD]

Hello? What’s the protein breakdown effect with pred?

[SnazzyD in reply to Janetknit]

Have a read of this. I know it’s about a book but it sums up the effects of Pred nicely.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1...

[Janetknit in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you! I’m analytical so it was a good read. Also the clarity of how many effects we are prone towards a bit overwhelming. I’m glad to have read this... I shall read again and put info into perspective. Sounds like there are many ways I can work with these effects through diet awareness.

Much to learn😳

[SnazzyD in reply to Janetknit]

It is a bit isn’t it. However, lots of drugs would have the same essay length applied to them, particularly other immunosuppressants. I see it as Pred being a very well known drug so lots of info.

[Janetknit in reply to SnazzyD]

Truth. I appreciate knowing more than less. Moving forward the info helps me participate. 😊

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

Which I think is a positive! In that there is a lot less to discover on your journey with it!

[SnazzyD in reply to PMRpro]

Quite!

[SomersetWife]

Thank you, I really appreciate your help. I have cut down on carbs but do love my fruit - eat a lot of berries as we grow these in the garden and have just harvested the pear tree. I can see my husband finding it a bit of a hard ask to cut down further on our carb intake so may have to test my willpower cooking some for him and not eating them myself!

[SnazzyD in reply to SomersetWife]

I had to watch my husband and teenage girls eat everything. You get used to it.

[Hidden]

Simply put, eat healthily! Cut out processed foods, which having gluten intolerance, I would think that cakes and biscuits et al will not be on your radar. You may want to look at some of the ingredients in any processed foods you eat, even things like low/no fat dairy products too - you will be very surprised. If it is processed be aware.

I have reduced carbs and some fats. The dosage of steroids I have been taking, but starting to reduce now, resulted in me getting terrible cramps in my hands, feet and right calf. Eating something as simple as two slices of whole meal toast resulted in me suffering this side effect. I undertook a number of experiments and whilst it might just be me, reducing refined carbs = no cramps.

So fresh foods, lean meats, fish, poultry vegetables and fruit (although be careful as some fruits have a lot of sugar) unrefined grain products. It is quite a challenge and resisting that slice of home made cake is less of a challenge now as if I eat it, safe in the knowledge that I have been pretty good for the day.m and it is within my daily allowance.

I use the free version of MyFitnessPal to record my food intake. Not so much for calorie recording, rather that it records the quantity of carbs, fats etc in my daily diet and informs me if u am straying too far. It is nice to also record calories when I am on a bad day when the steroids force my appetite and irrational desire off the scale!

I have also found that the commercial company slimming world have some very good low fat/low refined carb recipes which are very good and provide recipes for some very good meals. Recipes online, in a monthly magazine or through books via their groups. Not a plug for them, but worth a look - I worked for them for a while and can vouch for these. Veggie, gluten free are all catered for.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

There are some very good gluten-free cakes and biscuits in the free-from shelf - but it really doesn't do to look at the ingredients list! G/F jaffa cakes are actually better than the ordinary variety...

[Jamie751]

Dr Michael Mosley has written several books and appears regularly on tv I understand. I have found very helpful, his book on the 80 Day Blood Sugar diet and the recipe book written by his wife. Good luck!