Prednisone is a popular corticosteroid drug that is prescribed in the form of tablets or liquid medication to manage a large variety of conditions, particularly autoimmune conditions. Some of these include lupus, asthma, ulcerative colitis, IBS, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, sarcoidosis, eczema and many other conditions that cause inflammation in the body. The sheer volume of uses for prednisone makes it quite a successful drug. While prednisone doesn’t cure chronic conditions, it reduces the inflammation that produces the severe symptoms of these conditions. In many cases, the help and relief that prednisone provides outweighs the side effects of long-term prednisone use.
A common side effect of the long-term use of prednisone and other corticosteroids is weight gain, and this weight gain becomes especially evident in the face. When used over extended periods of time, steroids like prednisone change the way the body stores fat, leading to the adverse effect that many refer to as “moon face”. Weight gain can also occur in the abdomen and upper body. While you can’t control the way your body stores fat, there are some things you can do to limit weight gain and reduce the moon face effect while using prednisone. Here are a few helpful tips:
Limit your serving size; use small plates.
The best way to control portion size is to use small plates and small bowls. You’ll feel like you’re getting more, and you’ll start to feel full before you finish what’s on your plate, causing you to think twice about going back for a refill.
Drink lots of fluids without sugar.
Drinking lots of water and fluids is important for hydration, and it can also help control your appetite. Just be sure to avoid drinks with sugar. This includes not only sodas but energy drinks, juices and bottled teas that can also contain substantial amounts of sugar. Drinking beverages with sugar will significantly add to your calorie intake without satisfying you as much as food would.
Get enough calcium.
Getting enough calcium is essential when using prednisone for long periods of time. Corticosteroids can inhibit the absorption of calcium, increase the loss of calcium through urine and inhibit osteoblasts. This can lead to osteoporosis in the long-term. Some foods high in calcium that will also help you feel full and satisfied include cottage cheese, Greek yogurt (look for ones that are high in protein and low in sugar), almonds and white beans.
Buy food ahead of time to stop cravings.
Planning out your food for the week and going to the grocery store will help you avoid excessive eating when those cravings strike. Be sure to buy healthy snacks and keep them on hand for when you need them most.
Limit sodium to prevent water retention.
Prednisone and other corticosteroids can cause your body to retain sodium, leading to water retention and bloating which can add to the weight gain effect as well as cause other problems such as high blood pressure. Check labels for sodium on products you buy while taking prednisone and avoid salty foods that might not necessarily have labels like cured meats, olives and pizza in restaurants. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 1500 mg of sodium per day for adults. This is less than ¾ of a teaspoon of salt.
Keep unhealthy food out of the house.
While taking corticosteroids, avoid buying desserts, chips, candy, soda and any high-calorie, unhealthy snacks that you are likely to crave and reach for if they’re in front of you. This will greatly reduce your chances of overeating.
Prednisone is a very effective drug in managing symptoms for a variety of conditions. Avoiding weight gain from prednisone can help you maintain your health and compliance with your prescription drug treatment. To get more information about prednisone and receive a free discount coupon, visit our Prednisone Drug Page.
