Diet

[Carathedog]

Hi

Is there a specific laid out diet to follow for PMR, I realise cutting carbs, no low fat, but it would be helpful if there was something specific to follow.

[MrsNails]

I’m afraid not - there’s info in FAQ’s - personally l couldn’t follow a ‘diet’ l didn’t want to feel ‘punished’ if you know what l mean so l devised a prescriptive plan tailored to me.

I was just one point off being classed as Type2 Diabetic so that really gave me the impetus to get myself sorted.

My Story is in FAQ’s but everyone will tell you Carbs, Carbs, Carbs to be avoided if you want to reduce the Steroid Weight.

One of Members is writing her Story up for me tomorrow to add to the FAQ’s.

I’ll attach a link for you so you can have a read.

Kind Regards

MrsN

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

You’ll find the Posts l’m talking about on here - it’s under the last section

W - Weight Gain

I’d suggest you Save The Post as it will be updated frequently

[Carathedog in reply to MrsNails]

Thanks for that

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I don't think of it as a prescribed diet - and there is nothing that will make much difference to the PMR whatever books on the internet may suggest. However - many people find that when they stray from a low carb approach, they suffer as a result. Sugar and simple carbs are also pro-inflammatory - so logically may make the inflammation worse.

[Carathedog in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks.I do have a healthy diet, but will cut back on carbs

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Carathedog]

Trouble is, the usual healthy diet tends to have lots of fruit - and that means lots of carbs.

[Carathedog in reply to PMRpro]

Yes I eat a lot of fruit, will check which are best

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Carathedog]

Berries really - but the diet doctor site has easy to use pictures:

dietdoctor.com/low-carb/foods

[Carathedog in reply to PMRpro]

That’s really helpful, thanks

[piglette]

Follow a sensible healthy eating diet and minimise the carbs. I did go rather over the top on nutrition when I was diagnosed and got an app MyNetDiary which is free for the basic version. It calculates basic nutrition items along with vitamins, calories, exercise etc.

[Carathedog in reply to piglette]

I eat a lot of fruit, maybe I should check which are the best

[piglette in reply to Carathedog]

Fruit does have sugar and some are quite heavy on sugar such as grapes, so we should limit our fruit. Eating veg that grows on top of the ground is also better from carbs and sugar point of view than veg grown under the ground. In medieval times the poorer people had veg from under ground and the posh people had veg from above the ground!

[Purplecrow]

When I first was diagnosed with PMR, I realized I craved carb dense foods, which promptly led to weight gain. I couldn't afford to gain any more weight, so using advice from this forum, I settled on the need to select only colored carbs, mostly veggies, and fruits. This eliminated white potatos, rice, pastas, and breads. I do eat a lot of beans, with minimal animal protein. My cooked dishes are heavy on roasted veggies, light on fats, light on dairy (mostly fat free Greek yogurt) with moderation of everything else. I gained 15 lbs in the first few months, then lost that weight once I took control of the carb issue.

This is my life, and I didn't wish to live food restricted, so it was just a matter of daily decisions.

If I want a glass of wine, a piece of decadent dessert, or some chocolate, I have it. I just don't have all of it at one time.

Sounds simple, and it is, really...just a day at a time.

Kind regards,Jerri

PMR diagnosed 2013

Currently 5 mg prednisone

[Carathedog in reply to Purplecrow]

Thank you, yes, I really don’t want to put on weight, this sounds sensible, and hopefully not too limiting

[Doraflora in reply to Purplecrow]

I’m with you on this attitude, Purplecrow.

People will dislike me on here for saying that I am actually underweight! It’s a pain, as whatever I eat doesn’t seem to make any difference and I look scrawny despite regular exercise and hand weights.

We eat a pretty healthy diet, stacks of veg/salad/fruit, although i do have a weakness for wine and cake! I never eat gooey stuff, usually scones/tea cakes and I make my own things whenever I have time. But I am 70 next month and really want to o enjoy the rest of my life.

I’m currently stuck on 5mg Pred. I haven’t tapered down any more since I developed a bad back (muscular pain). Once that’s improved then I’ll start tapering again.

[Purplecrow in reply to Doraflora]

Hi Dora , I don't expect anyone will dislike you for having a metabolism that causes you to be underweight. I, on the other hand, am medically classified as "obese". Again, I am a person with a genetically programmed metabolism which has for my lifetime, always placed me in the upper weight range. I have "dieted" most of my life, with absolutely no effect on my metabolic "set point", and every pound I ever lost, found me again.That said, it is my decision to tromp on....... using mindfulness as a guide for my food intake, and stay aware of the siren call of carb heavy desserts. Since my diagnosis of PMR, in 2013, I have tapered my prednisone many times, only to return to 5 mg. as the amount my body needs to function. Will I, can I, taper lower? Maybe? Maybe not. Using the stories of PMRPro and others for guidance, I decided to chill, not sweat the taper, and enjoy the remainder of my years. PMR be dammed! (I will be 76 soon)🎂. I do plan to drink my wine, eat my cake, and laugh heartily !

[Doraflora in reply to Purplecrow]

Ha, I like it! We must be kindred spirits🤣

I’ll always remember a dear friend of ours: she developed high cholesterol (she wasn’t overweight at all) and she thus altered her food very seriously indeed to avoid things high in cholesterol.

Sadly it was only a very short time later she was diagnosed with terminal cancer and unfortunately suffered a slow, distressing demise. . It’s always made me think “life is for living “. 🍷🍰

She wasn’t very old either 😔

[Purplecrow in reply to Doraflora]

Yes, life is short, and we don't get "do overs". 💐

[FRnina]

I was given a diet sheet by the French hospital after diagnosis 5 years ago. Basically no sugar and low salt, plenty of water and cooking by steam or poaching as well as the cutting out of carbs, no charcuterie, no snacking etc. As Purplecrow mentioned treats/ restaurant visits ok but as exceptions. I've managed to keep a steady correct weight throughout and find it easy to keep to the regime now although it was very hard in the beginning. A question of changing old habits I guess.

[Carathedog in reply to FRnina]

Many thanks

[Hildalew in reply to FRnina]

Is that 'no refined sugar' or no sugar at all? I have observed that a chocolate or 'jam' binge will be punished by extra aches/pains. It doesn't seem to happen as obviously with fruit. But I haven't kept any data about this so I may be kidding myself!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hildalew]

Depends on the person probably. In terms of carbs and weight control, fruit sugar is carbs. Whether fructose is as pro-inflammatory as processed carbs is another matter.

[FRnina in reply to Hildalew]

just checked back at the diet sheet. it says avoid sugar and sugar elements. I threw out all packets with (a lot of) added sugar. Took up cooking everything fresh. Kept it simple, really simple. There will be added sugar in some things, in my case for example marmalade but then I searched for the very low sugar content one. Got in the habit of reading any packets before buying. website: sans-sucre-sans-sel.com and naturalia.fr. Of course no potatoes, rice, bread etc. Forget biscuits, cakes. I make my own cakes now and then with very little molasses.

Feel much better for it all: my daughter joined me in the same routine and says it's woken her brain up!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hildalew]

Just had a quick look!

Fructose is probably one of the worst sugars for inflammation BUT that is when there is a lot of it present, as in any products made with HFCS, high fructose corn syrup, as used in processed products of all sorts, baked goods in particular, since the advent of the low fat propaganda. Manufacturers loved it - they could take relatively expensive fat out of food but that had to be replaced with something to recreate the "mouth feel" and taste. HFCS is cheap as chips - and has the added plus of keeping food moist and long-lasting to provide even more financial advantage to them. From their point of view - what wasn't to like!

However - there probably isn't enough to be gained from fruit in a normal diet to be a problem.

[Bcol]

I think that is probably something that affects us all differently and therefore ends up with with what works for you. I've been very lucky and, until the last two weeks ( another story), remained fairly/normal active with walking the dogs. Nearly two years in with PMR my diet hasn't changed very much and I've not really given up anything. I don't particularly avoid anything, unless I don't like it, but do try to be sensible. I gave myself a target range and have never been out of it. However, if my present problem remains I will have to cut down my intake as I'm not getting any exercise.

[Carathedog in reply to Bcol]

Thanks, I’ve managed pretty well after nine months, but after a flare and upping preds noticed a few pounds creeping on, best to nip it in the bud now

[Bcol in reply to Carathedog]

Thinks that's the best way, if it's happening try and catch it early. As I'm not walking at the moment I'm going to keep a much closer eye on where I'm at. Good luck and hope it continues well.

[ubaoz]

The goalposts for what is a healthy diet keep getting shifted all the time don't they, so it can be really confusing to know what to eat in any given situation! Taking pred does definitely skew the general playing field to the need to reduce carbs, as others have suggested, so it's useful to read labels and investigate the carb content of what you eat. Apps such as Piglette mentioned (MyNetDiary) are really helpful to learn what's in food.

Just because a food is normally considered healthy, doesn't necessarily mean it's low in carbs. As others have mentioned, fruit is a good example of that. Starchy veggies, legumes and whole grains are also quite high in carbs. Before PMR I had a pretty healthy vegetarian diet, but found that I had to drastically cut carbs (to less than 20gm a day) to get my blood sugar to behave anywhere nicely once I started taking pred. And to keep weight under control.

A friend bought me some small gluten-free hot cross buns as a treat for Easter. Each one was 59gm of carbs. Virtually my quota for 3 days! I had a quarter of one with plenty of butter… 😈

One thing I've found helpful is to make sure I eat some good quality fats with my carbs. For example: organic ghee or butter, coconut oil etc. It tends to slow down the blood sugar spiking a bit for me. Not sure if that works for everyone though.

Good luck in your quest for a new way of eating.

[Carathedog in reply to ubaoz]

Thank you, I start today, cutting down on carbs, and checking on best fruits, vegetables and healthy fats

[OPO4]

I am finding that an Anti-inflammation diet helps. I found recipe books online. Best wishes Stina

[Carathedog in reply to OPO4]

Thank you 🤞

[Bubble56 in reply to Carathedog]

I have been weight obsessed since I was diagnosed with PMR two years ago. I’ve cut carbs and it stopped me gaining too much excess weight but my shape has changed dramatically 🙈. I do, however, still have a g&t or glass of wine most days…… I decided life was too short, PMR is bad enough!!!

[Carathedog in reply to Bubble56]

Totally agree 👍

[Doraflora in reply to Bubble56]

Hear hear Bubble56

[Karendeena]

I would just enjoy a balanced diet, protein, carbs, fruit and veg! Stick in a few treats. I avoid alcohol completely, then again I have afib too

[Carathedog in reply to Karendeena]

I also have afib, but I do, and look forward to a glass of wine, and and whisky, life’s too short, everything in moderation

[Jacuzzi]

Hi. I had started SlimmingWorld three weeks before diagnosis. It has been tough and I had to stick to meal plans and remind myself regularly that the steroids were increasing my appetite, and not to snack. I have managed, with some gentle swimming, to lose a stone and a half. I do agree with the posts, cutting down on the carbs is a good strategy.

[Carathedog in reply to Jacuzzi]

Well done you, I started today, no carbs, felt shaky, dizzy, and had to go to bed. Think I’ve been too strict maybe

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Carathedog]

Reduce in steps - to go no carb within a couple of days is very hard on the body as it has to change how it produces glucose for the brain and muscles. You don't necessarily need NO carb, low carb will often do the trick. Cut a quarter of your carbs the first week, then some more then next week if you feel good, and again the third week.

[Carathedog in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you, yes, realised this after yesterday, poached egg on toast this morning, delicious

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Carathedog]

Then maybe the egg on half a slice ... When you cut down more slowly you really don't notice any aspect of it as much.

[Jacuzzi]

Probably. I do find if I eat two meals out of three with either no carbs or restricted carbs my weight loss is better. Also pasta is definitely one carb I stay clear of as much as possible. Good luck!

[beethovenite]

I have found it impossible to lose weight, am a stone too much really.After months of trying and no loss I now indulge in some chocs and a glass of wine at weekends. No fatter with that but no thinner.

Hoping summer salads will make weight loss easier and also reduction of steroids. I come down half a steroid per month.

Beethovenite.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to beethovenite]

I don't get this unwillingness to eat salad in the winter - but if you need hot food there are lots of above ground veggies that have very low carb counts to fill up on.

[Zebracorn]

I avoid nightshade vegetables which includes tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplant. It’s hard at first but I been avoiding them for more than 2 years and it makes a big difference. When I indulge I feel it. I had mashed potatoes last week and my wrists and and hands were very stiff and achy. Shoulders a bit. Google nightshades. I don’t think it affects everyone but they cause inflammation in many. I learned about it before I got diagnosed with GCA and PMR.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Zebracorn]

I tried it and all it did for me was make my diet boring and far too restricted. Some people find it is specific nightshades that cause the problem - have you tried that?

[Zebracorn]

Well, potatoes and tomatoes confirmed. I don’t miss eggplant much. But I should give peppers a trial. Thanks.