Wondering how you can gain weight with diabetes? Look no further, we’ve got you covered. When you have diabetes, in certain cases, you might be required to gain weight. This requires you to take high-calorie foods without causing your blood sugar levels to spike above the recommended averages. Another important question here is why should you be required to gain weight with diabetes. Well, this is for patients who may have lost excessive weight due to a parallel chronic illness such as cancer and may be advised by the doctor to adjust their food plan to gain weight while managing their diabetes. This is recommended to gain their strength to manage their routines and to manage diabetes. Excessive weight loss can be detrimental for diabetics as they need to remain energetic and agile with their disease. Always remember, that diabetes is an ongoing disease and has no cure, it can only be managed, and maintaining a healthy weight is also very important. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into your question “How can I gain weight with diabetes?”.
Why might you need to gain weight?
As briefly brushed above, maintaining a healthy weight average is crucial for diabetic patients. This is required so that they are more energetic and agile to live with their disease. Diabetes causes lethargy and inactivity in many patients and that could also lead to depression which is the number one cause for heart disease.
Diabetic patients who are underweight or physically weak find it very hard to cope with their disease and maintain a normal life routine. They also struggle with their appetite and find it hard to ingest enough nutrients to function normally. Therefore, doctors advise such patients to gain weight with healthy methods.
In certain cases, there might be involuntary weight reduction that can be detrimental to managing diabetes. For example, stress and depression may result in loss of appetite which may cause significant weight loss. Also, involuntary weight loss may also be a symptom of diabetes. Therefore, diabetes and weight management have a very close relationship with each other. It is a complicated equation that is to be managed properly and with diligence.
How to gain weight for diabetes
When you have diabetes, don’t ever be careless with your weight and keep it within doctor-recommended averages. Not being able to buy enough food and an overly malfunctioning thyroid can also be factors that may cause weight loss during diabetes.
The key to gaining weight during diabetes is a healthy balanced diet with all the necessary nutrients required. So, how to gain weight as a diabetic? Well, you need to balance your calorie intake with sufficient nutrients. Mere caloric ingestion such as chocolate, rice, or bread will certainly boost your blood sugar levels beyond the balance.
People with diabetes need to be very careful with their food choices to ensure that they gain healthy weight while keeping their vitals and sugar levels in check. This is mainly recommended to avoid health complications. If you are worried about how to gain weight in diabetes type 2, we also recommend that you consult with your doctor before making any significant changes to your diet.
But if you must gain weight for your diabetic condition, then you should do so by avoiding highly processed high-carb, and greasy foods which can spike your sugar levels. If you are using insulin then you must balance your insulin dosage with the amount of carbs you are ingesting which requires your physician’s advice. A diet loaded with calories and low on nutrients can lead to complications. If you are using fats to gain weight then stick to unsaturated fats.
Diabetic diet to gain weight
Food for gaining weight with diabetes, therefore, is critical for managing weight gain and keeping your blood sugar in check. You must consult with your doctor to jot down a diet plan on how to gain weight when you have diabetes. Here we will discuss a few food selections that can help you gain weight in a safer manner during diabetes and some tips for how to increase weight in diabetes.
Full-fat dairy products
The first and the most essential are full-fat dairy products that are a great source of vitamin D and calcium. These food products include whole milk, unsweetened full-fat yogurt, and cheese. You have got to be careful with the quantity of these foods as they have high calory content which might be detrimental to your blood sugar levels. If you also have cardiovascular issues, then you may limit the intake of these foods to avoid additional complications.
Caffeine, alcohol, and low-calorie beverages
This is a category of food that is best unventured when you have diabetes. But if you still crave a diet soda or a carbonated drink, it would be wise to limit their consumption. Diet sodas and high-calorie carbonated drinks have a tendency to leave people feeling full and limit nutrient intake.
Alcohol does not contain any nutrients and it is best to avoid it as it causes bloating and slows down the digestion process which leads to cholesterol build up. All in all, just be very careful with fuzziness in your diet when you have diabetes to avoid complications. The good drinks, however, include water or sparkling water, pressed or squeezed fruit juice with the pulp, milk, and healthy light smoothies.
Chocolate and other snacks
Chocolate can be good or bad for your diabetes, depending upon your symptoms and medical condition. Firstly, if you have type 1 diabetes, just simply avoid chocolates because you are already on high doses of insulin. If you have type 2 diabetes, however, the antioxidants and certain chemicals in chocolate can help you prevent symptoms.
Dark chocolate is better than milk chocolate. It is recommended that you may have an occasional square of chocolate with your diet and avoid excessive consumption. Snacks, especially processed packaged snacks are not recommended for diabetic patients who seek to gain weight. Suitable snacks may include full-fat Greek yogurt with granola, apple with peanut butter, half a banana and walnuts, and whole grain toast with avocado and chia seeds.
Vegetables and oils selection
If you are aiming to gain weight during diabetes, then you can try selecting healthy green leafy vegetables. There are many vegetables that can provide you with healthy calories and build up that weight mass that you are struggling for. Broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and carrots are good examples of vegetable selection for diabetics.
You could of course make a vegetable salad and sprinkle healthy oils on them for fat consumption to gain weight. Examples of healthy oils for diabetics include extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, and sesame oil. Alternatively, you could also try homemade mayonnaise with your salads for fat ingestion.
Higher-calorie foods
Processed foods that pack excessive volumes of sugar and fats are not recommended for diabetics. They tend to disrupt blood sugar levels. Whole grain foods and healthy fats promote healthy weight gain, on the other hand.
Foods with healthy grains and natural fats help in reducing the risks of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The list of these foods is quite long. Some examples of healthy high-calorie foods are nuts, seeds, such as pumpkin, avocado, nut butter, brown rice, wholemeal bread, oily fish, olives, and quinoa.
Protein
Proteins are essential for muscle buildup and strengthening. If you have diabetes, you must include proteins in your diet. There are two sources of proteins namely animal-based proteins and plant-based proteins. Animal-based protein sources include chicken, turkey, fish, nuts, seeds, eggs, etc.
Plant-based proteins include pulses, lentils, beans, peas, quinoa, soy products, etc. Some pulses contain carbs along with proteins, so be careful in your carb intake. Always consult with your doctor before making any food plans. For some diabetics, eating plant-based proteins is more suited than animal-based proteins.
Food and exercise
So, could diabetes cause weight gain? Yes, it can and that is why you have to engage in physical training or exercise of some sort. Always club your calorie and protein intake with exercise. This helps in muscle buildup and gaining weight during diabetes. Strength training is the best way to decompose blood sugar and it also builds appetite thereby enhancing blood sugar regularization, naturally. Be mindful to take in 1,600–2,400 calories per day. This intake of nutrients along with exercise of any kind is a great way to reduce diabetes symptoms and to gain weight while you have diabetes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, managing weight with diabetes requires careful attention to food selection, balancing calorie intake, and ensuring proper nutrient levels. Gaining weight safely involves choosing high-calorie but nutritious foods like full-fat dairy, healthy oils, and lean proteins while avoiding processed, high-sugar foods. Additionally, it’s crucial to consult with your doctor to tailor a plan that works best for your individual needs. Maintaining a healthy weight helps ensure better energy levels and diabetes management. For personalized diabetes care and weight management, trust Premium Medical Centers to help you live your healthiest life.
FAQs
1. How can I gain weight with diabetes?
To gain weight with diabetes, focus on consuming high-calorie, nutrient-dense foods such as full-fat dairy, healthy fats like avocado and olive oil, and lean proteins. It’s essential to avoid processed foods and sugar spikes while ensuring balanced blood sugar levels. Always consult your doctor before making changes to your diet to ensure it’s safe for your condition.
2. What diabetic diet to gain weight should I follow?
A diabetic diet to gain weight should include healthy, calorie-dense foods such as whole grains, nuts, seeds, full-fat dairy products, and lean proteins. Additionally, consuming healthy oils and vegetables with high-calorie content will help promote weight gain without compromising blood sugar levels. Tailoring your diet to your specific needs with professional guidance is key.
3. What food to gain weight for diabetics is recommended?
Foods to gain weight for diabetics should be rich in healthy fats, proteins, and complex carbohydrates. Consider adding foods like avocado, oily fish, full-fat yogurt, quinoa, and whole grains. Avoid foods that spike blood sugar levels and consult your healthcare provider for a personalized plan.
4. How to gain weight for diabetics safely?
To safely gain weight as a diabetic, focus on consuming nutrient-rich, calorie-dense foods that won’t negatively impact your blood sugar. Include healthy fats, high-quality proteins, and whole grains in your meals. It’s important to balance food intake with exercise, especially strength training, to help with muscle gain and blood sugar regulation. Always seek medical advice before adjusting your diet.