Diabetes Weight Gain. Challenges in Managing Weight in Diabetes

Healthful Vitality | 10/21/2021 | Diabetes Weight Gain

Managing weight has a specific challenge in diabetes. For obese or overweight individuals, it could be a challenge to prevent weight gain. On the contrary, gaining weight may be quite challenging for lean individuals, especially those living with type 1 diabetes.

Weight gain in diabetes

Although so much is written about weight loss, but there is a lack of information for those who need weight gain. Adequate body weight is essential for greater survivability. Thus, low-weight individuals are also at risk of having a shorter lifespan, having other health issues like weak muscles and bones.

Low body weight is more common among individuals living with type 1 diabetes. However, it may also occur among those with type 2 diabetes.

However, gaining weight may be challenging, as high-calorie intake would cause an increase in blood sugar levels, too. So, first, a person should determine his or her ideal body weight to understand how much weight gain is needed.

Eat frequently, but in smaller portions

Those living with diabetes have issues in processing carbs. Further, if they eat large meals rich in fats and proteins, their body may convert them into glucose, too. Thus, those looking for weight gain in diabetes must eat food more frequently but in small portions. It would be a good idea to consume six meals a day, instead of three.

Get more lean proteins

Unlike carbs, proteins only cause a moderate rise in blood glucose levels. Thus, one may include a greater number of proteins in diet like chicken breast, fish, soy, tofu, egg white, nuts, legumes.

Eat healthy mono or polyunsaturated fats

Fats can be an excellent source of energy in diabetes, as they cause a very little rise in blood glucose and that too slowly. Thus, eat more avocadoes, olive oil, canola oil, nuts, seeds, fatty fish, to name a few.

Additionally, if weight gain is a severe issue, one may consider health supplements that are good for those living with diabetes.

Insulin related weight gain in diabetes

It is a different kind of problem. Most individuals would gain some bodyweight with insulin. However, after some weight gain, things may stabilize. But some individuals keep gaining weight with insulin. It is because insulin is a potent metabolic booster and is also an anabolic hormone.

There are several ways of avoiding weight gain with insulin therapy. One of the ways is to reduce the insulin dosage and instead use medications that lower insulin resistance like metformin.

Another strategy is to use a different kind of insulin. Some insulin types cause less weight gain. Generally, short-acting insulins would cause less weight gain as they are closer to natural insulin in their mode of action.

To conclude, diabetes poses specific challenges for managing body weight. Though most people with diabetes are overweight, it is not always the case. Some lean people living with diabetes need to gain weight to stay healthy and improve their quality of life. Additionally, there could be specific challenges in managing weight with insulin therapy.

(Related Article: The Best Exercise for Diabetes Type 1)