Dieting while taking prednisone involves making adjustments to your eating habits. Prednisone is a type of corticosteroid medication used to treat a variety of conditions such as asthma, arthritis and allergies, according to MayoClinic.com. A common side effect associated with taking prednisone is weight gain. Following a healthy, balanced diet will help you keep from adding extra pounds while taking prednisone.
Step 1
Decrease your daily calorie intake to prevent weight gain while taking prednisone. Track your meals using an online food journal such as LIVESTRONG's MyPlate. Monitor your daily calorie totals for five days to see the average number of calories you consume. Subtract 250 to 500 from your average to calculate the number of calories needed to lose about 1 lb. per week.
Step 2
Consume complex carbohydrates to as an energy source. Eat nutrient dense carbohydrates such as whole grain breads and pastas, brown rice, fruits, vegetables and oatmeal. Avoid carbohydrates such as white breads and pastas, cookies and cakes, which are high in refined sugars. MayoClinic.com recommends 225 to 325 g of carbohydrates per day, based on a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet.
Step 3
Eat proteins to aid in tissue repair and muscle recovery. Consume low-fat proteins such as fish, eggs, skinless poultry, lean meats, soybeans, legumes and low-fat dairy such as Greek yogurt and cottage cheese. Aim for 50 to 100 g of protein per day based on a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet, suggests MayoClinic.com.
Step 4
Consume high-fiber foods that take longer to digest so you stay fuller longer with fewer calories. Fill up on fiber-rich cereals, vegetables, fruits such as apples and oranges, wheat bran and whole grains. The recommended daily allowance for adults is 22 to 34 g per day, according to MayoClinic.com.
Step 5
Add healthy fats into your diet to aid in essential vitamin absorption and help lower blood cholesterol levels. Consume foods such as salmon, avocado, seeds, nuts and oils such as olive oil and coconut oil. Stay away from fried foods and processed items such as potato chips that contain saturated and trans-fats, which encourage weight gain. Include two to three servings of healthy fats in your diet each day, suggests the American Heart Association.
Tips and Warnings
- Consult your physician before initiating a new diet program.
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