Avoiding Weight Gain With Prednisone
Prednisone, particularly in higher doses, can increase your appetite and may cause fat to be redistributed to the face, back of the neck, and the abdomen, according to the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Health.
To prevent weight gain, UCSF recommends that people on prednisone limit saturated fat and cholesterol by avoiding:
- Fried foods
- Foods with extra oil, butter, margarine, or mayonnaise
Prednisone causes your body to excrete less salt, so sodium levels rise, which can lead to fluid retention and high blood pressure. To counter this, limit or avoid salty foods like potato chips, pretzels, salty condiments, packaged snacks, and processed foods, and increase your intake of potassium, which helps prevent fluid retention.
Try eating several smaller, balanced meals throughout the day to prevent overeating, and make sure they all contain some protein and fiber, says Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, a registered dietitian in Wellesley, Massachusetts, who is board-certified in oncology nutrition.
“Eating a variety of fruit and vegetables, you get your potassium and fiber,” she says. The protein and fiber help satisfy hunger pangs, and the fruits and vegetables contain nutrients that help fight inflammation and boost the immune system.
Prednisone can also raise glucose, or blood sugar levels, so it’s important to watch your carbohydrate intake. It’s best to skip “simple” carbs like cookies, cakes, candy, jams, sugar-sweetened beverages, and other highly processed foods, and focus on complex carbs. These include roasted or baked potatoes (though not drenched in butter or salt) and old-fashioned oatmeal, Kennedy says.
Additionally, she suggests limiting alcohol and excessive coffee consumption, as too much can dehydrate the body. She also cautions against drinking soda, which often contains caffeine and extra sugar.
When plain water doesn’t cut it, Kennedy advises adding a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.
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