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What you eat makes a difference in your life

Your body needs the materials
and energy it needs to heal itself

Young people need to eat healthy to build their body and fuel their activities. Older folks need to eat right to maintain their health. Patients need to eat well for these reasons and more. In some cases, what patients eat can cause or worsen flares. In any case, those of us on prednisone have a special diet to help lessen side effects.

The recommended diet for those taking prednisone is as follows:

Protein - High protein is no longer recommended. Instead 'adequate protein' is (what's recommended for your size, body-type and age) is appropriate.

Carbohydrates - Low carbs, especially simple carbs like whole wheat breads, are healthier for anyone, but this goes double for pemphigus and pemphigoid patients. Avoid complex carbohydrates which are found in most processed foods.

Salt - No added salt is best. Many people consume far too much salt in their lives. Salt causes us to maintain water, which adds weight. Avoid adding salt to cooked foods, or at least, use much less. Some patients use potassium instead. It looks and tastes just like salt, and we need extra potassium when on prednisone.

Fats - A lean diet is much healthier in many respects. Cut down on the fat to avoid the weight gain prednisone often brings. Some fat consumption is necessary for good health, speak to your nutritionist or doctor for their recommendations. Look for low fat foods that can replace foods you normally eat. You'll feel better and, again, it will help you avoid gaining weight.

Snacks - Prednisone is famous (or infamous!) for increasing the appetite, thus many patients gain weight. You can avoid this trap by eating smaller meals more often throughout the day. When snacks are needed, eat healthy foods, such as raw vegetables, nuts and plain popcorn. The trick is not to eat too much of any one thing.

Calcium supplements - Prednisone suppresses the body's ability to deal with calcium and osteoporosis is a real danger, not just for women, but men, too. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends 500 mg of calcium 3 times a day. More won't be properly digested, less may be too little. Check with your doctors first, in any case. Calcium also needs vitamin D, but the better supplements already have this included.

Gaining weight on prednisone is not impossible to avoid, but it will take some will power. You don't have to give up unhealthy foods or snacks altogether, just eat less of them. If you don't have large amounts of unhealthy foods in the house, they will be much easier to avoid.

In general, a healthy diet of adequate protein, low carbs, low fat, no added salt, and take calcium supplements, is best for pemphigus and pemphigoid patients. You should eat healthy even when you aren't on prednisone. I will only improve your health, and what's more important than that?