(MayoClinic.com) Insulin and weight gain often go hand in hand. But if you need insulin therapy, you're not necessarily doomed to gain unwanted weight. Start by understanding how insulin therapy works. Then take steps to minimize — or avoid — weight gain while you're taking insulin.

Weight gain is a common side effect for people who take insulin — a hormone that regulates the absorption of sugar (glucose). The more insulin you use to control your blood sugar level, the more glucose that gets into your cells and the less glucose that's wasted in your urine. Glucose that your cells don't use accumulates as fat. If you continue to eat as you did before, you'll likely gain weight when you start taking insulin.

Think about it this way: Before starting insulin, you could eat more food than you needed without gaining weight because your body didn't use the food properly. But with insulin, your body uses food properly, and you may need less food than you think.

When it comes to insulin and weight gain, you may feel as if the scales are tipped against you — but your weight is within your control. Eating healthy foods and including physical activity in your daily routine can help you prevent unwanted weight gain.

• Count calories. Consuming fewer calories helps you prevent weight gain when you're taking insulin. And it doesn't have to be difficult. Stock the refrigerator and pantry with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. At the same time, look for easy ways to cut calories. You might trim your portion sizes, skip second helpings and swap high-calorie drinks for water. For help creating a meal plan, consult a registered dietitian.
• Eat breakfast. Skipping meals may save you hundreds of calories, but there's more to the story. When you skip meals, your metabolism slows down — which promotes weight gain. Instead, spread your calories throughout the day to steady your metabolism.
• Be physically active. Physical activity moves sugar from your blood into your cells. The more active you are, the lower your blood sugar level — and the more calories you'll burn. For the best health benefits, experts recommend 2.5 hours a week of moderately intense physical activities. Examples include fast walking, lap swimming or bicycling. Check with your doctor to see if these recommendations are safe for you.
• Ask your doctor about other diabetes medications. Some diabetes medications — including metformin (Fortamet, Glucophage, others), exenatide (Byetta) and pramlintide (Symlin) — may promote weight loss and allow you to reduce your insulin dosage. Ask your doctor if these or other medications would be an appropriate part of your diabetes treatment plan.
• Take your insulin only as directed. Resist the temptation to skip or shortchange your insulin to ward off weight gain. Although you might shed pounds quickly if you take less insulin than you need, the risks are serious. Without enough insulin, your blood sugar level will rise — and so will your risk of diabetes complications.

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