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Diabetes and pred - and diet

Posted , 11 users are following.

EileenH
EileenH

There has been quite a lot of discussion about pred being a risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes. Another factor with pred is the weight gain. Both are, at least in part, due to the way pred changes how our bodies metabolise carbohydrates and store fat. One of the things I (and others on the forums) often say is that cutting the amount of carbohydrate in your diet will help avoid the risk of both (maybe not entirely but to a great extent) and, if you are unlucky enough to develop diabetes, will also help you manage your blood sugar levels better meaning you should need less medication and you may even find you don't need any at all.

Today there is an article in the Daily Mail about the same things I have been saying for some time. It isn't often I recommend health articles there but this is one worth reading. I'd give you the link but it might disappear so if you look online in the Daily Mail for this article under Health you should find it with no bother.

"Are diabetics being given diet advice that just makes their problems WORSE?"

 

3 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • pat38625
    pat38625 EileenH

    Posted

    Read the article  which was good and got my appt. for Diabetic Clinic on 21st of this month.  Also while cutting my carbs down to a minimum, I have lost 5lb in weight. That was just from last Saturday, so whose a Happy bunny.  Ate leafy greens, salads, meat and fish and it wasn't a bother.  So onwards and downwards (lbs)cheesygrin
    • EileenH
      EileenH pat38625

      Posted

      Well done! They say the proof of the pudding is in the eating - or maybe not in this case ;-)
    • pat38625
      pat38625 EileenH

      Posted

      Thank you Eileen, yes the proof of the pudding is not in the eating (of it).  Also when I needed something sweet I had some berries and greek yogurt or a banana.  I'm not expecting that weight loss every week.  The first week is mainly water you lose but it's a good start psychologically and physically of course.  cheesygrin
    • EileenH
      EileenH pat38625

      Posted

      I found I lost the taste for sweet things quite quickly - now though if I do eat something sweet I can easily want more. I did the 5:2 diet for a while - the knowing you can have something tomorrow without feeling guilty stops the craving...
    • pat38625
      pat38625 EileenH

      Posted

      So far so good with me.  Tried the 5:2 diet but it didn't last with me.  Hopefully further down the line I may use it  again after indulging, it seems like a good idea.  Twice I have had a chocolate muffin (that I took from a slimming club I used to go to).  The recipe sounds yuk but the muffin hits the spot.  A sachet of optional hot chocolate or 3 heaped teaspoons of  cocoa powder in a mug, then 2 or 3 teaspoons of sweetner, then a raw egg and beat it all together, put in the micro for about 2 to 2.5 minutes and then turn the mug upside down and hey presto, a chocolate muffin with a cup of coffee.  It's nicer than it sounds and no baking involved (Thank God) just a quick fix.
    • EileenH
      EileenH pat38625

      Posted

      I didn't stick with the 5:2 because it really does seem to be a carbohydrate problem for me. But it was very good to get myself used to the right size portions - after a few weeks I wasn't as hungry which was great. I'm by no means the only person to find that.

      I've heard of similar recipes for microwave cakes and other people have said they taste good - too good most of them said!

  • faye______00403
    faye______00403 EileenH

    Posted

    Hi EileenH

    Strange post fo ryou.  I can't seem to find my way to the moderater

    to let him or someone know that I'm not getting any blogs and haven't

    for several days.....Would appreciate your forwarding my

    problem to him........Faye00403

    Thanks for any help....I miss it.

    • EileenH
      EileenH faye______00403

      Posted

      To get hold of the moderator just click on the light grey flag that says report on the bottom of any post - that then comes up on his inbox. I've just done it for you.
  • james_ensor
    james_ensor EileenH

    Posted

    I have diabetes and polymyalgia. The steroids do inrease blood sugar readings substantially.  They also encourage weight gain. Metformim initially reduces weight and then has no further effect. It is important to keep fasting blood sugar levels below 6.  Prolonged high sugar leveals can have lots of serious effects, including to the eyes and legs, So it s worth taking Metformin whilst on steroids. The amount of sterois need can be determined by a blood test giving a measure of the blood settlement rate or ESR. Also if you cat too fast you will again feel pains, rather than just stiffnesss.

    You should take the pills..

    Carbohydrates are needed but unrefined ones such as brown rice, which turn to sugars only slowly seem to cause less of a blood sugar issue.  Avoid all processed foods which are often laced with sugar and salts.

  • james_ensor
    james_ensor EileenH

    Posted

    I have diabetes and polymyalgia. The steroids do increase blood sugar readings substantially.  They also encourage weight gain. Metformim initially reduces weight and then has no further effect. It is important to keep fasting blood sugar levels below 6.  Prolonged high sugar levels can have lots of serious effects, including to the eyes and legs, So it is worth taking Metformin whilst on steroids. The amount of steroids needed can be determined by a blood test giving a measure of the blood settlement rate or ESR. Also if you cut too fast you will again feel pains, rather than just stiffnesss.

    You should take the pills..

    Carbohydrates are needed in any diet but unrefined ones such as brown rice, which turn to sugars slowly cause less of a blood sugar issue.  Avoid all processed foods which are often laced with sugar and salts. Also milk has lactose which is also a sugar, so soya milk is preferable.

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