APPETITE AND CORTICOSTEROIDS

Corticosteroids like prednisone and deflazacort, often prescribed to treat DMD and other neuromuscular disorders — particularly myasthenia gravis (MG) and polymyositis (PM) — are known for causing unwanted weight gain. Managing hunger with small, frequent servings of high-fiber foods that are low in calories and developing an eating schedule are some helpful hints. To learn more, read War on Weight Gain and Nutritional Considerations While on Corticosteroids.

Side effects of prednisone and other corticosteroids include increased appetite and weight gain, as well as osteoporosis (porous and weakened bones). Appropriate nutritional supplements while being treated with prednisone include calcium and Vitamin D.

Meal planning suggestions

Weight gain is a side effect of prednisone regardless of how much a person eats. However, since many people on prednisone also have an increased appetite, they may gain additional weight from overeating. This weight gain may result in further difficulties with mobility.
Therefore, recommendations for individuals taking prednisone suggest following a healthy eating plan to maintain your weight, avoiding excess weight gain, and avoiding high blood sugar. It may be helpful to develop an eating schedule, so that you won’t overeat from becoming excessively hungry.
One of the culprits in this weight gain is fat. Fat is a concentrated source of calories and can add unwanted pounds quickly. Therefore, your intake of fat should be limited (to less than 30 percent of total calories consumed).
Furthermore, if you’re watching your weight, you’ll want to limit your intake of sugar. Sugar and concentrated sweets are usually high in calories and low in vitamins and minerals.

Low-fat, low-sugar foods

Breads:	whole wheat breads, long grain rice, whole wheat tortillas, pita bread carrot/bran muffin, wheat English muffin, wheat crackers granola bars without frosting, rice or corn cereal without sugar fiber cereals, grain cereals without frosting
Meats:	lean turkey, fish, chicken, beef, pork, tuna in water, eggs (no more than 3 per week). These should be steamed, baked, broiled, grilled, not fried.
Dairy:	skim or 1 percent milk, low fat or nonfat cheese, ice milk, low fat frozen yogurt, lite cream cheese
Vegetables:	all fresh or frozen that are unbreaded, including starchy vegetables, such as peas, lima beans, corn, squash, lentils, beans vegetable soups
Fruit:	all fresh or frozen fruits Limit fruit juice to less than 4 ounces per day.
Fat:	low calorie salad dressing, lite mayo Limit to three teaspoons of added fat per day.