I was going to put type 1 in the topic, but this is type1nation, eh?
I want to agree, we don’t eat our way to type 1 diabetes or LADA. I also want to acknowledge that not everybody is destine to a perfect physique. I’ve always been a long-tall-drink-of-water. I know folks that have always been built like a fire hydrant.
What I am mindful of is how we can administer insulin and then eat to that dose (i.e., gain weight) or we can eat to our metabolism and give the insulin we need for a proper diet.
Stemming from my diagnosis earlier this year, I had 30 pounds of unchecked weight loss. I’m now using insulin and likely to live a long and healthy life - God willing. I favor the complex carbs now and that staves off rapid return of appetite after eating. Now, if I want to eat less, I’d go low. If I want to eat more, I’d go high. If I want to eat more and not go high, I’d give more insulin. If I want to east less and not go low, I’d reduce my insulin. What I want to do is not gain 30 pounds back, but. . .
So, I’m looking to discuss this fine balance. For NOW, I’m holding my own at 6’-5" and 185 pounds. Yea me! Then again, I sort of need to rebuild muscle, strength and other such details. I’m a bit flummoxed. . .
I lost a lot of weight before my T1D diagnosis in Nov last year. I needed to gain 35 pounds to hit my target weight. I eat a moderate carb diet and wanted to gain weight without adding a lot of carbs so I employed between meal snacks of jerky, cheese, avocado and nuts. I added more butter and mayo to my meals to add calories without adding carbs. Since hitting my target weight , I removed the between meal snacks and reduced the calorie add ons to meals. My insulin use has reduced a bit (both basal and bolus) after hitting my target weight since the reduction in protein consumption meant less conversion to sugar. I used the book “Think Like a Pancreas” to adjust basal dose and a food diary to track the bolus reduction needed). I also track calories - less than 2200 calories a day and I lose weight, more than 2400 causes me to gain (I am active, female and aged 52 at 5 ft 4 inches). I have been holding steady on the weight so far. So, it should be possible with record keeping and tracking your needs to maintain your weight. My weakness is beer (I love craft beers and will gain if I eat the same and have beer every day!)
Honestly, I don’t think it’s realistic to maintain a 30lb weight loss when you achieved that weight loss by being “sick”. You can always try to eat clean, count calories, exercise, etc, but I’m guessing at least some of this weight will come back regardless.
f-d. Yours is a very complex topic (IMHO). Remember, the primary issue in Type 1 is the body has lost the ability to metabolize glucose (because of the loss of insulin). Glucose is the fuel for everything the tissues in our body attempt to do.
To make a long story short, I would encourage you to visit with your physician and come up with a game plan that may include a dietician and an exercise physiologist. That team may be able to help you return to your desired weight without experiencing dramatic swings in your blood sugar. Riding the “blood sugar roller coaster” is no fun. Achieving a desired weight change with Type 1 without the roller coaster requires planning, record-keeping, and persistence.