Putting weight on

[Mike_Scho]

hi, pre diagnosis was had an excellent BMI, since then I have lost 14 lbs I need to put back on as I am now underweight. I'm following very low carb diet and on Metformin 1 tablet twice a day. Any tips or advice would be appreciated
Regards Mke

 

[Brunneria]

Bernstein recommends increasing protein intake to gain while very low carbing (he recommends that people eat about 35g carbs a day in the book I quote in my signature).

My experience is that eating a lot of protein will halt weight loss, so I imagine that eating even more, would cause some weight gain.

Interestingly, Bernstein says (in one of his you tube videos), that his attempts to get his patients to increase weight by giving them shot glasses full of olive oil, at each meal did not work, and his suggestion to increase protein comes from that discovery. Presumably the poor shot glass oil drinkers were following his very low carb diet recommendations...

 

[TorqPenderloin]

Unfortunately, I don't think it's as easy as simply increasing your protein intake. While it is possible to gain lean mass in a state of ketosis it's very difficult, complicated, and probably not the best for the average person (T2 or not).

Ultimately, insulin is essential in weight gain (whether healthy or not). That's why bodybuilders eat fruit immediately after their workouts....to spike their insulin levels and deliver amino acids to their muscles. I found this article on the website here: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/building-muscle-with-diabetes.html

I think it's ultimately very good information. However, many modern sources now believe it's better to eat carbs immediately AFTER a workout rather than before. Even still, the average person probably won't realize a difference eating them immediately before vs. after.

On one hand, eating too many carbohydrates can spike insulin levels to an unhealthy level in a T2.
On the other hand, lean mass and exercise both aide in combating insulin resistance.

In my (untrained) opinion, it's a matter of controlling your carbs (rather than keeping them absent from your diet): slowly increasing your intake until you begin to gain weight, and knowing when (and when not) to eat carbohydrates.

While I'm not a T2, I do have personal experience (pre and post T1 diabetes) intentionally spiking my insulin levels to promote lean mass gains. I can tell you that it is incredibly effective especially now that I can directly control when and how much insulin I want to give myself.

 

[zand]

I know of one lady on this forum who had the problem of being underweight and she solved it by eating nuts, so that would be protein and fat, not carbs because that would have put her BG's up. @Pinkorchid How are you doing with this?

 

[TorqPenderloin]

I know of one lady on this forum who had the problem of being underweight and she solved it by eating nuts, so that would be protein and fat, not carbs because that would have put her BG's up. @Pinkorchid How are you doing with this?

I think that deserves a bit more info. "A lady ate nuts and gained weight" doesn't really tell us much.

EDIT- Again, it's unfortunately not that simple.

 

[zand]

I think that deserves a bit more info. "A lady ate nuts and gained weight" doesn't really tell us much.

EDIT- Again, it's unfortunately not that simple.

That's why I tagged the lady in question, I thought maybe she could help. I know she managed her carb levels and added protein. I was just trying to help the OP, that's all.

 

[dannyw]

Unfortunately, I don't think it's as easy as simply increasing your protein intake. While it is possible to gain lean mass in a state of ketosis it's very difficult, complicated, and probably not the best for the average person (T2 or not).

Ultimately, insulin is essential in weight gain (whether healthy or not). That's why bodybuilders eat fruit immediately after their workouts....to spike their insulin levels and deliver amino acids to their muscles. I found this article on the website here: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/building-muscle-with-diabetes.html

I think it's ultimately very good information. However, many modern sources now believe it's better to eat carbs immediately AFTER a workout rather than before. Even still, the average person probably won't realize a difference eating them immediately before vs. after.

On one hand, eating too many carbohydrates can spike insulin levels to an unhealthy level in a T2.
On the other hand, lean mass and exercise both aide in combating insulin resistance.

In my (untrained) opinion, it's a matter of controlling your carbs (rather than keeping them absent from your diet): slowly increasing your intake until you begin to gain weight, and knowing when (and when not) to eat carbohydrates.

While I'm not a T2, I do have personal experience (pre and post T1 diabetes) intentionally spiking my insulin levels to promote lean mass gains. I can tell you that it is incredibly effective especially now that I can directly control when and how much insulin I want to give myself.

That would depend on what you choose to copy & paste. There are those that believe it can be done with protein alone. See here:

http://www.muscleforlife.com/guide-to-post-workout-nutrition/

It sounds as if you have your own body fully understood but that doesn't always mean nothing else works. And I agree, it isn't easy. Whatever you choose is always going to be a fine balancing act.

 

[TorqPenderloin]

That would depend on what you choose to copy & paste. There are those that believe it can be done with protein alone. See here:

http://www.muscleforlife.com/guide-to-post-workout-nutrition/

It sounds as if you have your own body fully understood but that doesn't always mean nothing else works. And I agree, it isn't easy. Whatever you choose is always going to be a fine balancing act.

I'm not saying that it CAN'T be done on protein alone, but it's very difficult. Many people instead choose to do a CKD (Cyclical Keto Diet) it basically involves introducing manageable levels of carbohydrates into your diet at certain times.

Either way, the diet needs to be supplemented with heavy weight lifting. Muscle won't grow voluntarily and I am a firm believer that 1 rep (or low rep/high weight) maximum strength is what promotes lean mass increases.

Yes, I have a very solid understanding of my own body and I'm not saying that it works for everyone, but I am suggest that it works for many (if not most) people. I'm also attempting to discuss this on a high level (like you are). Personally, I'd rather gain 5 pounds of muscle and 1 pound of fat than 10 pounds of muscle and 10 pounds of fat. It seems obvious but people sometimes forget that part when they're trying to gain weight and expect quick results.