LCHF - need to gain weight

[sudsandsoda]

Hi all,

Been on LCHF since my diagnosis a couple of weeks ago, and it’s doing amazing things for my BG levels - I’m now a consistent mid 5 with mid/high 6 after meals. And the trend is still dropping.

My problem is that one of my most concerning symptoms at diagnosis was weight loss - 8kg in a 5 months or so. And the weight still seems to be dropping off me - I’m quite slim already so would like to stop this.

Any extra ideas on how I can increase weight?

Is the answer to just eat more often?

I’m type 2 (type 1 not ruled out) and currently refusing meds to see what I can do with diet and exercise alone.

Jx

 

[Bluetit1802]

Well done on your achievements so far.

When you reduce carbs you have to increase good fats and maybe extra protein, more so if you want to gain weight. It can take a while to find the right balance, so you need to use a food diary, your glucose meter, and your bathroom scales. It is what I did after losing all my excess weight only to find I couldn't stop losing. I increased the number of eggs I had been eating, starting eating cheese that I hadn't been eating, had more cream, more butter, and more full fat yogurt. I did find the right balance eventually, and have maintained my ideal weight for 4 and a half years. There are other fats you can increase or add - more avocados, more olive oil, more mayonnaise, more fatty meats.

 

[Spl@]

Well done although 8kg in 5 months is not dropping off you. I lost 25kg in 3 months, its taken another 3 for my skin to tighten back up. Felt pretty weird for a bit, like my skin didn't fit. All the weight fell off me till I hit a stopping point of 75kg. that was it, my weight will not go below that. If I try to eat less I get unpleasantly hungry. Who am I to argue with evolution, if 75kg is it, that will do for me. You may well find you stop, not everybody does but its quite normal.

As far as weight gain, increase your fats, more nuts, cheese etc unless you have medications or dietary issues. If not increase them but go steady. Your aim is to match what your body needs to what you eat then the weight loss will stop.

Many people comment that too much fat upsets their guts a little and makes loo trips a little rushed, (being tactful), that is generally because they have eaten too much for your gut to process/your body needs, does take time for things to switch up to get the best from LCHF. ​

Others find a controlled amount of a carbohydrate can check weight issues too. With your testing you may have found some carbs you can eat without too much of a bg rise.

One thing I would not do is snack, that's a short road to ruin. Keeping your meals regular gives your pancreas a bit of a break and allows the liver to work as advertised burning dietary fat. This is much better more constant energy.

 

[Guzzler]

Please do not give up trying to get a definite diagnosis of type as this will affect the choices you can make.
Good Luck.

 

[sudsandsoda]

Please do not give up trying to get a definite diagnosis of type as this will affect the choices you can make.
Good Luck.

Thank you. Have an appointment with the diabetes specialists mid May so I’m hoping they will be clearer with their advice and offer me the right tests.

 

[KK123]

Thank you. Have an appointment with the diabetes specialists mid May so I’m hoping they will be clearer with their advice and offer me the right tests.

Hi there, all I would say is that you are only a few weeks since diagnosis and going on a LCHF diet immediately may skew or delay the actual diagnosis. I was suspected to be type 1 from diagnosis so they started me on insulin but I think the principal still stands, it was only tests completed at least 2 months later that confirmed the type 1. It's a choice to be made I know but in my opinion making it without a diagnosis can be frustrating. Sometimes you don't even get a definitive diagnosis! I know you are keeping an eye on your numbers though so hopefully by mid May you may get some answers. x