Diabetes FAQs

do you gain weight when you have diabetes

by Kelley Hills Published 1 year ago Updated 11 months ago
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Some sugar can be stored in the muscles and liver; however, most sugars are stored as fat when they have nowhere else to go. Thus, people with diabetes are more likely to be overweight or obese than those without the disease. While weight gain is one of the most common side effects of diabetes, it is not inevitable.

How to put on weight when you have diabetes?

  • Eat five to six meals a day, instead of the three or two usual meals.
  • Add toppings and extras to your food for a caloric boost.
  • Eat as much as you can when you do.

Can you put on weight if you have diabetes?

Gaining weight while controlling your blood sugar can be very difficult for those with diabetes. The key to a healthy weight gain is to recognize which foods affect your blood sugar and which do not. For weight gain that also allows consistent blood sugar control, add more healthy fats to your diet.

How can I lose weight if I have diabetes?

Use tricks to prevent overeating

  • Fill up on low-calorie foods first. “Start every meal with the foods on your plate that are lowest in calories,” suggests McLaughlin. ...
  • Change your salad dressing system. ...
  • Take up a busy-hands hobby. ...
  • Carry a toothbrush and toothpaste. ...
  • Arrive fashionably late to parties. ...

Is rapid weight gain sign of diabetes?

Some early diabetes symptoms are well-known: constant thirst, excessive urination, or sudden weight gain or loss, for example. Others, like the ones below, are more easily missed—by medical professionals and patients alike. If you’re experiencing any of these, be sure to bring them up with your doctor.

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Which type of diabetes makes you gain weight?

Type 2 diabetes has a host of symptoms beyond the more commonly known symptoms, like weight gain and increased thirst. If you're experiencing symptoms of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, reach out to your doctor.

Does type 2 diabetes make you gain weight?

Insulin resistance, which is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes, may also lead to weight gain. When the pancreas produces more insulin in response to insulin resistance, the hormone signals the muscles and liver to store blood sugar.

Why am I gaining weight as a diabetic?

In a way, weight gain is a sign that the insulin is working — your body is utilizing sugar, fat and protein more effectively and able to store nutrients. Typically, your appetite is increased when your blood sugars are higher. (This is a main symptom of having diabetes).

What is a diabetic belly?

Diabetes belly fat is a serious problem that can also signal heart failure. May people are not aware that the little stubborn fat around the waist that does not easily come off is due to the insulin problem. If you have high blood sugar there is a good chance that you have a problem removing the fat around the waist.

What are the signs of diabetes in a woman?

Some of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are:Feeling more thirsty than usual.Urinating often.Losing weight without trying.Presence of ketones in the urine. ... Feeling tired and weak.Feeling irritable or having other mood changes.Having blurry vision.Having slow-healing sores.More items...•

Why do diabetics have big stomachs?

Abdominal fat, also known as visceral fat or central obesity, is associated with insulin resistance (body not absorbing insulin), high glucose levels and hyperinsulinemia (high insulin levels in the body), which ultimately results in diabetes.

Is it hard to lose weight with diabetes?

Eventually, the cells stop responding to that insulin—becoming insulin resistant. Losing weight with insulin resistance is more difficult because your body converts blood sugar into fat instead of energy.

How can a diabetic person lose weight?

The four best weight-loss diets if you have diabetesDASH diet. ... Mediterranean diet. ... Plant-based diets. ... Heart-healthy, lower fat diet. ... Low or no-carb diets. ... Intermittent fasting, extreme calorie reduction or skipping meals. ... Cleanses or over-the-counter diet pills not approved by the FDA. ... Give meal replacement products a try.More items...•

Is type 2 diabetes hard to lose weight?

Dear R.P.: It can be harder to lose weight with Type 2 diabetes. The underlying defect is resistance to insulin, so blood insulin levels usually are high. Insulin is a growth hormone, a signal in the body that there is plenty of sugar and that the body should store energy as fat.

Does diabetes cause rapid weight gain?

While most healthy individuals will experience some weight gain as they age, people with diabetes are more likely to gain weight faster. In addition, unhealthy lifestyle choices such as eating a lot of sugar, caffeine, and alcohol and not getting enough physical activity can increase the risk for weight gain.

How can a type 2 diabetic lose weight?

The four best weight-loss diets if you have diabetesDASH diet. ... Mediterranean diet. ... Plant-based diets. ... Heart-healthy, lower fat diet. ... Low or no-carb diets. ... Intermittent fasting, extreme calorie reduction or skipping meals. ... Cleanses or over-the-counter diet pills not approved by the FDA. ... Give meal replacement products a try.More items...•

What are the warning signs of type 2 diabetes?

Signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop slowly....SymptomsIncreased thirst.Frequent urination.Increased hunger.Unintended weight loss.Fatigue.Blurred vision.Slow-healing sores.Frequent infections.More items...•

Do you have to include drinks when you are gaining weight?

Don’t forget to include drinks especially if you enjoy creamy sugar and carb-laden flavored lattes, a regular alcoholic tipple or fruit juices all which can be calorie-laden and possibly adding to your weight gain.

Can insulin be used to gain weight?

For instance, insulin analogs (human modified insulin) can be an alternative to some other types of insulin and may be less likely to cause weight gain.

Is sweaty and irritable hypoglycemic?

Sweaty and Irritable? You Could be Hypoglycemic

Does insulin cause weight gain?

For example, insulin medications like meglitinides, sulfonylureas, and thiazolidinediones are also associated with weight gain. Even so, weight gain on these medications is far from universal. Studies show that it affects some but not others.

Can diabetes cause weight gain?

Well, the answer is not a simple yes or no. There can be issues relating to your diabetes causing you to gain weight, or it could be that you are simply overeating and/or not exercising enough.

Can diabetes cause thyroid problems?

A thyroid disorder – Studies show that thyroid disorders are more common in people with diabetes so make sure your doctor checks your thyroid hormone levels every year. If you already take medication for a thyroid condition, make sure your healthcare provider checks the amount you take regularly.

How does diabetes affect weight?

A balanced diet and an active lifestyle can help all kids maintain a healthy weight. For kids with diabetes, diet and exercise are even more important because weight can affect diabetes and diabetes can affect weight. This is true for kids and teens with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. In diabetes, the body doesn't use glucose properly. Glucose, a sugar, is the main source of energy for the body. Glucose levels are controlled by a hormone called insulin , which is made in the pancreas. In type 1 diabetes , the pancreas does not make enough insulin. Undiagnosed or untreated type 1 diabetes can cause weight loss. Glucose builds up in the bloodstream if insulin isn't available to move it into the body's cells. When glucose levels become high, the kidneys work to get rid of unused sugar through urine (pee). This causes weight loss due to dehydration and loss of calories from the sugar that wasn't used as energy. Kids who develop type 1 diabetes often lose weight even though they have a normal or increased appetite. Once kids are diagnosed and treated for type 1 diabetes, weight usually returns to normal. Developing type 1 diabetes isn't related to being overweight, but keeping a healthy weight is important. Too much fat tissue can make it hard for insulin to work properly, leading to both higher insulin needs and trouble controlling blood sugar. In type 2 diabetes , the pancreas still makes insulin, but the insulin doesn't work in the body like it should and blood sugar levels get too high. Most kids and teens are overweight when they're diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Being overweight or obese increases a person's risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Also, weight gain in people with type 2 diabetes makes blood sugar levels even harder to control. People with type 2 di Continue reading >>

Why Did I Gain Weight When I Started Taking Insulin?

This is because they either are not producing enough insulin or their bodies are unable to use the insulin they produce properly. This food winds up as excess glucose circulating in the blood (resulting in high blood glucose!). Ultimately the body can't use all that extra glucose circulating in the blood and so it is eliminated in the urine. When your blood glucose runs high, you can become dehydrated as your body works to clear itself of all that excess glucose — which makes you think you've lost weight, but you've only lost water. Then, when you start taking insulin and get your blood glucose under better control, you start over-retaining fluids initially to make up for your dehydration, which makes you think you've rapidly gained a lot of weight. You associate it with taking insulin, but really what is happening is taking your insulin properly is just enabling your body to better use food and maintain a proper water balance. Also, once you start taking insulin injections and start getting your blood glucose under control, you now have enough insulin circulating in your blood to help the glucose get into the body's cells where it can be used as energy. So the glucose produced by the food you eat is no longer spending time in your bloodstream and being excreted out as urine. You gain weight. Your high blood glucose may have also made you feel more hungry because not all the food you were eating was able to get into the cells as energy to nourish the cells. Then, you started taking insulin — and continued to eat t Continue reading >>

Can diabetes cause weight gain?

Although diabetes is often associated with being overweight, especially type 2 diabetes, it’s a myth that everyone with diabetes has a high body mass index (BMI). Some people have trouble gaining weight. In fact, unexplained or unintentional weight loss can be a symptom of undiagnosed diabetes. Issues with weight management center around insulin, a hormone produced by your pancreas. People with diabetes are unable to use or produce enough insulin to transport excess sugar out of their blood and into their cells, where it can be used as energy. This can cause your body to burn its existing fat stores and muscle tissue in order to supply your cells with energy. If your sugar levels are constantly in flux, your body will continue to chip away at its fat stores, resulting in weight loss. Diabetes food plans are often geared toward helping people lose, rather than gain, weight. This can make it harder to figure out how to gain weight in a healthy way. Before trying the tips below, talk with your doctor or dietician. They can help you set the right diet and exercise goals for you, as well as answer any questions you may have. There are many apps available to help you manage your condition and make the right food choices. Look for apps that help you track blood sugar and BMI. Some options include: GlucOracle: This glucose forecasting app uses crowdsourcing to analyze the estimated amount of carbohydrates, protein, fat, calories, and fiber in each meal. It also predicts what your glucose level will be after eating. SuperTracker: This app helps you gain weight by providing comprehensive nutritional information on over 8,000 food items. It also tracks your nutritional targets, diet, and activity levels against your goals. If these don’t appeal to you, we’ve also rounded up Continue reading >>

Is It Possible To Have Type 2 Diabetes But Gain Weight?

Diabetes Forum The Global Diabetes Community Find support, ask questions and share your experiences. Join the community Is it possible to have type 2 diabetes but gain weight? I've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but am worried reading all the diet plans on this website that I have no option but to lose weight in order to reduce my Hbac1 glucose level down from 61. I'm 6 foot 3 and 12 stone and very skinny. I cant face losing weight and becoming even skinnier because as it is I stick out like a sore thumb So my question is, does it go hand in hand that if you have diabetes then you cannot healthily put on weight by choice? Or is there a diet plan out there that can either help me gain weight or at least maintain my current weight please? I was a 'healthy' weight on diagnosis, I lost one and a half stones and I'm still a healthy weight. I do not wish to lose any more weight so I am experimenting with reintroducing some carbs (by way of carrots and peas, anything that does not spike my bg) and have regained 2lbs. I will continue to do this until I can maintain my weight but not at the cost of rising bg. Hope this helps. It is perfectly possible not to lose weight, and even to gain weight. Keeping carbs low is essential if you want to control your blood sugar levels, but you can still use proteins and fats to keep the weight on. If you do some calorie counting, and maintain a correct calorie balance for your size and lifestyle, you can gain the calories you lose from reducing carbs by adding calories from proteins and fats. It will be a balancing act, with lots of trial and error, but it can be done. Are you sure you are type 2? I don't know how you've been diagosed or how long you've had diabetes, but there are still GP's around who don't know grown-ups can get type Continue reading >>

How to manage Weight In Diabetes?

According to studies, a reduction of as little as 5% in body weight followed by regular exercise could reduce your type 2 diabetes risk by more than 50%. There are the following measures you can follow to get rid of obesity-

Why is type 2 diabetes so obese?

In type 2 diabetes, too much fat and sugar are already present in body cells which makes them develop insulin resistance. And as carbs are already present in the body, consuming more increases the fat in the body. Hence making the person overweight or obese.

What are the causes of obesity?

Another factor for increasing obesity is high carbohydrate food. Earlier the food that was more in trend was seafood and whole grains full of fibers and other nutrients. But now those food items come in a more refined form and eventually in an artificial form. Many recipes that have high carb amounts like cookies, pasta, and cuisine of different countries have been globalized. So these are the causes (lack of physical activity, high carb food) of obesity.

How do I know if I'm obese?

Obesity is having 20 percent more weight than your ideal weight. To know your ideal weight, you can check your BMI (body mass index). If the BMI number is above 30, you are considered obese.

How to manage obesity?

Keeping your mind healthy is equally important in managing obesity. Although eating healthy and exercising will help too. You can find other ways to manage stress. Go swimming, spend time with your pet or friends, or do anything that makes you feel good. Sometimes people under stress start eating junk, do not do it at any cost. It will cause long-term harm for short-term comfort.

Does type 1 diabetes cause weight loss?

People who have type 1 diabetes may experience weight loss. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce insulin. Because of this, the sugar cannot enter body cells. When the body does not have sugar for energy it starts using fat for energy. And if the body uses fat from body muscles it results in weight loss. If you are losing weight suddenly, You should consult to doctor immediately.

Is obesity a diabetes?

You must have heard about how diabetes is associated with being overweight or underweight. Obesity is a condition in which the diabetic may have to experience the worst outcomes.

When making dietary changes, should you monitor your glucose levels?

Always monitor your blood glucose levels when making dietary changes.

What is the normal weight for a woman?

Generally, a range of 18.5 to 24.9 using the BMI, is considered normal body weight.

Can diabetes cause weight loss?

Because your body is unable to make use of sugar in the blood, those calories that would normally be utilized are lost. Even though you might be eating a normal amount of food, this loss of sugar and calories due to diabetes will still cause you to lose weight. [1]

Do you need to eat junk food when you have diabetes?

Snacks should be additional fuel for the body to hold you over between meals. They should not be an opportunity to graze on junk foods, especially if you have diabetes. Gaining weight will require an increase in caloric intake and health requires proper nutrition.

Why do people with insulin resistance gain weight?

Why does insulin resistance cause weight gain? People with insulin resistance often make too much insulin in response to eating . They may also produce too much insulin in order to maintain normal blood sugar (blood glucose) levels. The body cannot excrete excess insulin made by the pancreas; excess insulin is stored as fat in the body. This is just one of the reasons why people with insulin resistance gain weight more easily than those who are not insulin resistant. A simpler explanation is this: Insulin is a fat storing hormone – it triggers the body to store more fat; Insulin itself can be stored as body fat; and People with insulin resistance often make too much insulin. Many People With Insulin Resistance Can Eat Normal Amounts of Food and Still Gain Weight Insulin is a Fat Storing Hormone – It Signals the Body to Store Energy as Fat The body requires more insulin to metabolize (use as energy) carbohydrates than it does fat and protein. A low-calorie diet that is high in carbohydrates and unhealthy fats can trigger the pancreas to make too much insulin. People with insulin resistance can consume a normal amount of calories, but if calories are from foods that trigger too much insulin production, they can still gain weight from the excess insulin which is stored as fat. Excess insulin can also make you feel hungrier and signal the body to store more calories as fat. One way to lose weight is to reduce the number of carbohydrates you eat and to only eat low-glycemic carbohydrates. Avoiding “fast acting” carbohydrate foods (foods that are high in refined flour and sugar) also can reduce the amount of insulin your body needs to manufacture. Fast acting foods include candy, juice, soda, and foods that contain sugar, corn syrup, and highly-processed starches usual Continue reading >>

How Do I Gain Weight Safely With Prediabetes?

Eat as much as you want, what will bring you from pre diabetes into diabetes is excessive sugar or quick releasing carbohydrate consumption. Limiting this is really the key although exercise and adequate protein and fibre will help too. So the question is, how would you know how a meal Is affecting your blood glucose levels? Well if you are brave, you can buy a glucometer and record your own individual response to different combination of foods. All you have to do is stay within the recommended safe ranges for fasting and post meal and you will be fine. Its a real education, you don't need to be diabetic to use a glucometer but carbs do help with weight gain so a glucometer helps you find the safe zone. You should also ask yourself, what kind of weight do I want to gain. Many years ago I struggled to gain weight but after much persistence gained 7pds...7pds of which were on my stomach and increased my waist line by 3 inches. Keeping a trim waist line and gaining weight is ultimately a health goal most should aim for. Continue reading >>

Why Can’t I Lose Weight?

Finding Your Trouble Spots You’re trying hard to lose weight. You’ve changed your eating habits, and you’ve been doing more physical activity than you used to. But a few weeks — or even a few months — have gone by, and the scale isn’t budging. “Why?!” you ask in frustration. “What am I doing wrong?!” Body weight is regulated mainly by the number of calories consumed and the number of calories burned off. But there are a number of other things that influence weight, and some of them can make it difficult to lose weight. This article explores what some of these are and how to overcome them. As you make the effort to lose weight, be sure you are aiming for a realistic body weight for you. A starting point for determining this is body-mass index (BMI), a measure of body fat based on height and weight. You can calculate your BMI easily with an online tool such as the one at www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi. (Note that there’s a separate BMI calculator for children and teens.) Generally, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered normal, between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight, and 30 and higher is considered obese. However, BMI tends to overestimate body fat in athletes and other muscular people and to underestimate it in older people who have lost muscle mass. There is also some evidence that the negative health effects of overweight start at a lower BMI for Asian people. Keep in mind, too, that people come in different shapes and sizes. You don’t necessarily have to be “thin” to be healthy, but losing some excess fat can improve your health in a number of ways. Talk to your health-care team about your weight-loss goals and about what a healthy weight is for you. Frequent hypoglycemia Frequent episodes of hypoglycemia, or low blood glu Continue reading >>

Is obesity a cause of diabetes?

Obesity is a root cause of Insulin Resistance, which, in turn, is a key factor in the development of reversible Pre-Diabetes. If neglected, this latter condition severely increases the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, which, in the vast majority of cases, can only be managed for the rest of the Diabetic's life and may require daily injections of insulin. Reversing Insulin Resistance can be a crucial factor in the prevention of Pre- and Type 2 Diabetes and its attendant risk of Cardiovascular Disease. Insulin is the hormone responsible for allowing glucose, or blood sugar, to be absorbed by the cells of the body, where it is converted to energy. If you are Insulin Resistant, your cells react sluggishly to insulin. When you eat a meal, whether it's steak, fish or vegetables, the body breaks it down into a usable energy form, namely glucose. In a simplified explanation, the food you consume becomes sugar that will be transported to the tissues, muscles and organs of the body via the blood stream to be converted into energy. Following a meal, particularly one that is high in carbohydrates, you will have elevated levels of glucose in the blood stream, which signal the pancreas to release even more insulin until the excess glucose is absorbed by the cells. When you are Insulin Resistant, excessive amounts of free-floating unconverted glucose remain in the blood stream until they are sent to the liver and converted to excess body fat. In addition, hyperinsulinemia (elevated insulin in the blood) encourages your liver to produce even more triglycerides which are directly related to a greater risk of heart disease. Insulin Resistance and Serious Health Conditions Insulin Resistance promotes fat storage because glucose cannot properly enter the cells to be used as energy. Elev Continue reading >>

What is the cause of diabetes?

In rare cases, acanthosis nigricans can also be caused by ovarian cysts, hormonal or thyroid disorders, or cancer.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Some early diabetes symptoms are well-known: constant thirst, excessive urination, or sudden weight gain or loss, for example. Others, like the ones below, are more easily missed—by medical professionals and patients alike. If you’re experiencing any of these, be sure to bring them up with your doctor.

Is gum disease a sign of diabetes?

Inflamed or infected gums. Periodontitis—also known as gum disease— may be an early sign of type 2 diabetes, according to new research published in the journal BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care.

Do you know if you have type 2 diabetes?

Many people who develop type 2 diabetes have no idea they’re sick until a blood test shows abnormal blood sugar levels, or until their disease progresses and serious complications start to occur . “For the most part, diabetes is silent and insidious,” says Ronald Tamler, MD, director of the Mount Sinai Clinical Diabetes Institute. “Most of the time people have no symptoms early on.”

Does snoozing cause diabetes?

It’s not likely that snoozing during the daytime actually causes diabetes, say the study authors. But they say that it can be a warning sign of an underlying problem like sleep deprivation, depression, or sleep apnea—all conditions associated with an increased risk of diabetes. Something went wrong.

Can high blood sugar affect hearing?

Likewise, high blood sugar can also affect nerve cells in the ear and cause impaired hearing. “It’s something that few people talk about, but experienced audiologists know to look for the connection,” says Dr. Tamler. “It’s definitely something I check for during my physical exams.”.

Can diabetes cause blurry vision?

Elevated blood sugar levels can damage your retinas and cause fluid levels around your eyeballs to fluctuate, leaving you with blurry or impaired vision. Once blood sugar levels return to normal, eyesight is usually restored—but if diabetes goes unmanaged for too long, the damage could become permanent.

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