Last year I was diagnosed with diabetes. i went from 220lbs of pretty solid muscle to 160 within a year. i am now on insulin and have gained 30lbs back, but i'm wanting to get the other 30. it took a lot of work and a LOT of eating to get there the last time, but the foods i ate (pasta, potatoes, breads...) now sent my blood sugar levels thru the roof. any suggestions on how i can get the carbs and calories i need without raising my sugar levels so drastically?
Damn, that is a tough one. I'm no expert but the foods that bodybuilders eat are primarily the foods that diabetics try to avoid.
Bodybuilders actually play on their own insulin to actually help themselves gain lean muscular weight. For example, after an intense workout glycogen stores within the muscles are usually used up. After a good workout it's a good time to consume something like dextrose to replace them, and not only that, but also some fast absorbing protein in addition. As the insulin levels raise the protein and carbohydrates consumed are more easily shuttled into the muscles. This helps to feed the muscles with both protein and carbohydrates.
It's always best to avoid eating fats with carbohydrates. When you raise your insulin levels and then consume fat you create an express lane for that fat to be deposited into your fat stores...i.e...ass, stomach, etc. This is why a lot of insulin dependent diabetics who eat fattening foods have a hard time staying lean. It's not a good idea to eat pork, potatoes and then cheesecake and then say, "Oh well, I'll just take some insulin to balance it all out."
Perhaps ask your doctor what can be done. I have a feeling he/she will discourage you from possibly trying to use insulin in order to counter balance any irregularities created from eating like a typical bodybuilder.
look up the glycemic index and stick with foods that have lower values. those are the whole grains, veggies, and certain fruits. stay away from really processed carbs like white bread, regular pasta (as in not whole grain), and that sorta thing.
you'll gain weight slower, but you'll be gaining the right kind of lean mass I assume you're after.
might want to see a dietician, and keep track of your A1c through your doctor's office to see if you've gotten better control of your blood sugars.
The best thing is to concentrate on controling your sugar level and by that protecting your kidneys. If your kidneys start to fail due to uncontroled suger your muscle mass will decline below average. Try lentus and egg white in healthy amount and check your kidneys closely.
He was diagnosed just last year. Assuming he was fine prior and it wasn't something missed he should expect to have good health as long as he eats well.
