A good diet

[_multistrada]

Can anyone advise on the best diet, I’m getting rather round and having also given up smoking this is making me eat like a horse! I am on 12 mg of press per day.

Look forward to your help

[SnazzyD]

Quite simply, low low carb. Decent amounts of veg, protein and oils. That means cutting out all the usual padding from from meals such as rice, pasta, potato, maize, flours and of course, sugars. While on Pred it is a different to the usual sensible eating because the Pred causes glucose level spikes in the blood even before you eat anything.

Your shape is par for the course because Pred makes you deposit your fat more round the middle, face and neck. Some get a buffalo bump on the back too.

If you search in the box at the top words like “diet on Pred” or “weight gain”, you’ll get discussions to read for days!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There are probably dozens of posts about low carb on the forum - and all with testimonies about how well it has worked to at least reduce weight gain. I lost 35lbs of pred and PMR associated weight gain by cutting carbs drastically. I also lost the midriff padding very quickly - within a month the smart black trousers I took to wear while attending my daughter's wedding almost fell down!! I never had a serious moon face but although I am still overweight, officially obese, my doctors all say you wouldn't know I;d been on pred and at above 10mg, for years.

I find this site

dietdoctor.com/

particularly good for learning the basics - and pay attention to the illustrations of what is good and what is to be avoided/limited. Many a low carb diet has been sabotaged by "healthy fruit" - healthy it may be but it harbours a lot of sugar!

[123-go in reply to PMRpro]

After eating 12 red grapes and 1 kiwi fruit I learned that I'd consumed 27 carbs. Must do more reading.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 123-go]

Illustrates my point very well!!!!

[123-go in reply to PMRpro]

Happy to have been of some use 😂😂.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 123-go]

I have to say - even I was VERY surprised how many carbs in a kiwi fruit!!!!

[123-go in reply to PMRpro]

Isn't life just full of surprises! First PMR/GCA and now kiwi fruit!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 123-go]

Luckily I am quite underwhelmed by kiwi!!!

[123-go in reply to PMRpro]

I feel the same about broccoli.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 123-go]

Now broccoli I like - but not boiled, has to be roast/baked. Or to improve cauliflower cheese, part cooked in the microwave and then cheesed off in a very hot oven.

[PMRCanada]

Low carb/sugar/salt did the trick for me. I’m down 30pounds for 2 years now. As soon as eat too many carbs from bread, rice, potatoes or pasta, I now get an upset stomach and diarrhea. Incentive.

I used to also eat high fat, however my last annual blood test for diabetes (Hb1ac) was good (5.2), but bad cholesterol has creeped up, so I have started to watch fat intake. In all fairness the high cholesterol levels may have been from my attempt at a keto diet the month previously. I stick with olive and avocado oil, butter, and coconut oil. I would find it difficult to give up grilled steak and veg, my favourite...but no way I’m going on a statin.

Combining a new eating plan with regular physical activity helps! We just closed our pool but thrilled to learn our community centre literally behind our backyard has resumed deep water exercise classes. Hooray! Will be sad when the pickle ball/tennis courts and golf courses close for the season.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to PMRCanada]

Quite jealous!!! No option for deep water exercise classes here - and I really do miss them even now after 10 years ...

[123-go in reply to PMRCanada]

You appear to be very disciplined - well done. You and PMRpro have inspired me.

[PMRCanada in reply to 123-go]

I’m not always disciplined...especially when we eat in restaurant or get take out, and for the first couple of months of the lockdown here I ate carbs every second day. Packed on 5lbs in a hurry, so had to get back on track.

The key for me is “low” instead of “no” carbs/sugar/salt, which is doable long term.

Having an active hubby helps inspire me to get off the sofa!! 💪🏼

[123-go]

Low carbs for me too....once I get my head around it. My husband invested in a treadmill to encourage me and it's actually doable.