How Can My Husband Gain Weight?

[kittyvcat1]

My husband has had diabetes type 2 for 16 years and this year had to go on to insulin. We are getting to grips with this but his weight has plummeted to under 8 stone and, although he is only 5'4" tall, this still makes him underweight. His diabetes is reasonably stable now and I admit that we do lead an active life with dancing, walking etc, but how can he put a few pounds on without it upsetting his diabetes. He has had blood tests and there appears to be nothing wrong with thyroid etc, and I do use butter and full fat milk rather than healthier versions, but I'm at a loss as to what to do next. Any suggestions please. He currently takes 20 units of Insulatard in the morning and 10 at tea time and one metformin in the morning as well.

 

[lessci]

Try adding "health" fat snacks, a handful of nuts, slice of cheese and ham for elevenses, cream in coffee instead of milk

 

[mrs gimli]

I don't take Insulin so have no experience of it.. But I have a child with eating disorder. Can you use full fat milk for coffee.and add butter to cooking same with on food. And well done I say for being active

 

[semiphonic]

It should be relatively easy to increase your husband's calorie intake, I don't take insulin so I can't comment on how this would affect his insulin regime, but it would/should help with weight gain.

 

[Squire Fulwood]

Disclaimer: I am a T2 and do not take insulin. The way I understand it is that insulin is taken to deal with carbohydrates. What happens if you snack a lot on high calorie food that has little or no carbs in. Things like corned beef, original recipe KFC and chicken. All of which can be eaten with salad. Strawberries and double thick cream as a sweet. Double thick cream and lots of other things too. Buy a knife and fork from Black and Decker.

Forgot about Mattesons smoked pork sausage.

 

[logindetails]

@kittyvcat1 You don't say by how much under 8 stone your husband is but from the BMI charts he could be 7st 12lb and be a healthy weight for his height.

BMI =(weight in pounds x 703) ÷ (height in inches x height in inches)

How long has your husband been on insulin? Before I was diagnosed as T1 my weight had plummeted and I was a good 2 stone under weight.
After about 2 months taking insulin my weight started to rise and now, about 15 months later, I'm back up to what I should be - my problem now is keeping the weight off LOL.

 

[Brunneria]

Hi,

You mention that you don't think butter and full fat milk are as healthy as other options.

Are you aware of the latest research on fat in the diet, and how the dietary advice over the last 50 years is now being overturned?

Fat is no longer to be avoided.
http://time.com/96626/6-facts-about-saturated-fat-that-will-astound-you/
http://paleoleap.com/fear-of-saturated-fat-and-cholesterol/

Hopefully that will put your mind at rest.

 

[kittyvcat1]

Hi, he's 7st 10 which just puts him in the healthy bracket at a BMI of 18.5, which I think must have been lowered because I'm sure it used to be between 20 and 25. He is very thin though and is normally about 9st but he lost weight when his diabetes became out of control because tablets were no longer doing the job and while he was being monitored to see if a different arrangements of tablets would work and before he went on insulin in April, his weight just plummeted. I will try out the things suggested like double cream and non carbo snacks, so hopefully that will put him a few pounds on - he'd just like to be over 8st if he could. Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[AndyOD]

If your husband wants to gain weight then he should increase his insulin that will naturally make him eat more. I wish I could loose weight to be honest.

 

[Omnipod]

Your husband will put on weight if he keeps his sugar levels below 9. I used to be underweight and could never put on any weight. My diabetic specialist told me that it was because my blood sugar was too high. I was urinating everything out.
I went low carb, higher protein and kept my sugar under 9. Within 3 months, i put on 10 killo's.
Buy a low carb protein shake and drink 2 a day in between meals.

 

[AndyOD]

Maybe have a look at what high protein does to your body :-
http://www.fitday.com/fitness-artic...g/5-negative-high-protein-diet-effects.html#b
My worry with diabetes would be your kidneys which may already be under pressure from
Kidney (nephropathy).

 

[jack412]

Maybe have a look at what high protein does to your body :-
http://www.dietdoctor.com/sugar-vs-fat-on-bbc-which-is-worse

it was low carb high meat wasn't it, what I found fault with was it takes upto a month to keto adapt, so one brother was at an instant disadvantage and there was too much meat and wasn't enough fat.
it's best to look at someone after 2 months on a ketogenic diet, when they are fully adapted

 

[Brunneria]

Maybe have a look at what high protein does to your body :-
http://www.fitday.com/fitness-artic...g/5-negative-high-protein-diet-effects.html#b
My worry with diabetes would be your kidneys which may already be under pressure from
Kidney (nephropathy).

I think the op is talking about a short term weight gain to put on less than half a stone.

Can't see how that would have any impact on kidney function at all.

 

[AndyOD]

I was just quoting what I saw on the negatives of a high protein diet.
I was always told that a balanced diet is best:-
quote:-
2) A High Protein Diet Puts Strain On Your Kidneys

It's well known that patients with kidney problems suffer from eating a high protein diet. While dieters with normal, healthy kidney function don't seem to suffer any ill effects from eating a high protein diet, such a diet can put strain on your kidneys. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering a number of substances, including protein, from your blood. So a high protein diet can put strain on your kidneys; those with reduced kidney function should avoid such a diet.