Not too long ago I was diagnosed with diabetes, started on Metfomin, 500 mg.every morning. Watched my carbs, diabetes is under control but I lost 15 pounds. I am 5' 6 1/2" tall and weighed 138, now down to 123. I'd like to put on a few pounds without getting carbs. Is there any food that can give me weight but no carbs? I also exercise 1/2 hour each morning. Louise Leibman
Q: have diabetes, watching carbs. lost weight, how do I watch carbs and gain weight?
Answers (1)
12/ 7/08 9:04pm
Hi Louise,
Here's the tricky part here: uniquely, you're trying to lose weight and cut carbs at the same time. Obviously cutting the carbs is fantastic for your blood sugar control, but it's also going to help you lose weight/thus make it difficult to gain weight because carbs are stored as fat (because insulin is a storage hormone, storing the carbs you don't need for immediate energy as body fat).
So, do you want to gain fat? Increase the carbohydrates in your diet which will increase the amount of insulin you need each day.
Do you want to gain muscle? Weight lift! Not cardio, and not light "toning" exercises. But actual weightlifting.
There's also the issue of putting in more calories than you're burning, so if you don't want to increase the carbs in your diet, try increase the protein and healthy fats that you eat: turkey, chicken, eggs, cottage cheese -- and -- nuts, avacados, olive oil, peanut butter, etc.
Does this help?
What do you think your plan will be?
Ginger
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of The HealthCentral Network. The HealthCentral Network does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
To add to Gingers post:
Louise,
It's great that you have learned to manipulate your nutrition intake to lose weight. Congrats on that. Now, its time to gain some weight back. A strategy that I like to use to add healthy non-carbohydrate calories is to start by adding 1/2 -1 tablespoon of olive oil to your diet each day. You can do this by just eating it, mixing it in other foods, or using it to cook your foods.
Along with the healthy oleic acid and others in olive oil, you will be adding about 120 calories to your diet each day. I would try using a lower amount to start with as taking a large amount at once can really cause some stomach upset but a teaspoon here and there with 3 meals a day would be great.
Good Luck
Nutrition Facts