Gaining Weight On A Low Carb Diet

I am in the same position, however, I am not enamoured of the Gi/GL method. This is specifically because the GI centers on data collected using young, fit non Diabetic subjects. And because even when one has worked out all the numbers one's individual reactions to foods means that there are just too many variables.

Here is what I am doing to maintain my weight (a work in progress).
I have raised the amount of healthy fats again and I have raised the amount of protein in my diet. As fats will have virtually no affect on bg and protein a much lesser affect on bg than carbs my (bg) numbers have been stable throughout this period. I am not losing weight as I once was. I am in the unusual position of not being able to increase muscle mass but I am endeavouring to protect lean mass. You should be able to increase your muscle mass (if you are physically able to do so) with resistance excercise of some sort.
Hope this helps but just a note, it takes longer to add weight with protein and excercise than it does to lose weight on low carb.

Maybe try more nuts and cheeses after meals.

nick1945 said:

I have followed a low carb diet over the past 6 months and have found my weight has dropped steadily from 12st 8lbs to 11st 10lbs. At 6ft 1 in - I am below my target weight and my surgery tell me that I need to gain weight. But how?
I simply do not know how to use the low GL measure when eating multiple portions at one meal. Does it make no difference how much food is consumed at one sitting providing each portion has a low GL? Or do many low GL portions still produce a blood sugar spike?
Obviously - the by-product of a low carb programme of weight loss is good for overweight patients. But others may need to gain weight while still keeping the HbA1c readings under control.
Any advice would be appreciated! Nick

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Your BMI is 21.6 which is quite "normal" so why do your surgery incorrectly think you are underweight? I know that BMI is a rubbish measure but for the NHS to be saying that you are below weight when using their measure when you aren't seems a bit silly to me. I have never looked into GL just eat higher fat foods with ample protein and minimal carbs. Maybe give that a try. More bacon and eggs and fewer greens?

According to this chart you would have to be less than 10st to be underweight.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/height-weight-chart/

nick1945 said:

I have followed a low carb diet over the past 6 months and have found my weight has dropped steadily from 12st 8lbs to 11st 10lbs. At 6ft 1 in - I am below my target weight and my surgery tell me that I need to gain weight. But how?
I simply do not know how to use the low GL measure when eating multiple portions at one meal. Does it make no difference how much food is consumed at one sitting providing each portion has a low GL? Or do many low GL portions still produce a blood sugar spike?
Obviously - the by-product of a low carb programme of weight loss is good for overweight patients. But others may need to gain weight while still keeping the HbA1c readings under control.
Any advice would be appreciated! Nick

Click to expand...

You just need to eat more fat. Cheese, double cream, nuts etc. I was underweight at diagnosis 2 years ago, gained almost 10kg since on a very low carb high fat diet... I eat home made low carb cheese cake or low carb ice cream with sugar substitute everyday if I want to gain weight. I need to lose a bit now!

You've still got some room to move before you're underweight so I wouldn't panic just yet unless there is a specific reason the docs want you at a higher weight. You may find (many do) that as you drift toward the lower end of your bmi that your weight loss naturally slows.