Prednisone is a prescription medication that is primarily used to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and asthma. While this medication tends to help decrease inflammation, for some individuals, it can cause unwanted weight gain. In addition to weight gain, fat deposits in your body might also shift when taking prednisone. These effects are more likely as your daily dosage of prednisone increases. Maintaining a healthy weight while on prednisone can be difficult, but is important for your overall health.
Step 1
Increase your consumption of potassium-rich foods. The University of California-San Francisco, or UCSF, explains that some of the weight gain attributed to the use of prednisone is water and not fat. This water retention can be addressed by eating a diet that is lower in sodium and higher in potassium. Potassium-rich foods include potatoes, bananas and raisins. Choose potassium-rich foods that are also nutrient dense and not highly processed, so that you are getting the most nutrition for each calorie.
Step 2
Consume carbohydrates in their naturally-occurring forms. Eating fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables provides your body with dietary fiber that helps you feel fuller faster so you eat less. In addition, prednisone can cause instability in your blood glucose levels. This can signal your body to store more fat and, if left untreated, can lead to diabetes. If fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables aren't readily available, use frozen or canned, but check the nutritional label for hidden sources of sodium.
Step 3
Emphasize low and nonfat sources of the mineral calcium. Prednisone, according to UCSF, can cause bone tissue to thin and increases your risk of developing osteoporosis. Eating foods such as low- and nonfat milk, cheese and sardines with the bones can provide your body with additional calcium. These versions of calcium-rich foods are also low in fat and contain fewer calories than their full-fat counterparts. If you are considering using a calcium supplement when taking prednisone, check with your doctor first.
Step 4
Become more physically active. Being physically active by exercising 30 minutes a day can help you maintain your weight while taking prednisone. If you haven't been active recently, choose activities such as brisk walking and increase the pace or resistance as you become more physically fit. Building muscle tone also increases your metabolism naturally, so you burn more calories, even at rest. Get a complete physical by your doctor before embarking on a plan of physical activity.
Tips and Warnings
- Let your doctor know about your weight concerns when taking prednisone. He might recommend that you work with a dietitian to plan a healthier diet.
Things You'll Need
- Walking shoes or sneakers
- Potassium-rich foods (such as potatoes and bananas)
- Low- and nonfat sources of calcium (such as milk and cheese)
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