Steroids are a man-made version of hormones that the body makes naturally. Some of the steroids are hydrocortisone, prednisone, and dexamethasone. Like hormones, steroids help to reduce inflammation and ease symptoms of stiffness, pain, and swelling. There are various side effects of steroids such as steroid-induced diabetes, the risk of developing osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and increased appetite.
It is, therefore, vital to eat a balanced and healthy diet that is rich in vitamin D and calcium and low in salt to help ease some of these effects of steroids. Moreover, it is worth noting that steroids can have nutritional side effects such as imitating the stomach, interfering with the absorption of some nutrients such as sodium and potassium, and increasing appetite. If you are taking steroids, it is essential to ensure you eat a balanced diet.
This article will explain what to eat and drink while you take steroids.
What Diet Should You Follow While Taking Steroids?
Eat High-Protein Foods
It is crucial to take high-protein foods in your meals while on steroids. The reason for this is that steroids increase the synthesis of proteins that, in turn, promotes muscle repair and growth. As the muscles grow, they use carbs, proteins, and other nutrients that you consume. Eat plenty of lean meat and fish, as well as cottage cheese, eggs, and low-fat dairy. However, avoid processed or red meat as studies link them to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance. Eating processed meat can increase your risk of getting heart disease and raise your cholesterol levels. Mostly, consuming steroids affects the body by reducing the amount of good cholesterol while increasing that of bad cholesterol, which increases the risk of heart disease. It is for this reason that you must consume a high protein diet. A high protein diet can also help to suppress diet. Typically, steroids such as prednisone increase appetite, which can be challenging to control.
Greens are a Must
Greens are rich in low calories and high in water, helping you to keep in shape. When you are using steroids, you want to build mass and reduce any fat gain. Greens that you can consume include arugula, kale, broccoli, and watercress among others to suppress appetite and give you enough fiber. Greens are also beneficial to the heart because they have low cholesterol levels and enhance heart health. Since greens have low calories, you can eat as much as you want. They provide vitamin K, vitamin C, and vitamin D, which the body requires to accomplish various functions.
Green leafy vegetables are lifesavers for any condition because they have minerals, vitamins, and fibers. They supplement your steroid cycle efforts by increasing body mass while losing fat. You do not need any supplements to prevent vitamin deficiencies. While it is true that you may be on steroids for various reasons, protecting your body against adverse effects must be your primary concern. Therefore, never forget to stay fit and healthy by consuming greens.
Include Whole Grains in Your Diet
Steroids increase your strength and allow you to work harder for longer. Due to increased activity, more stress occurs on the central nervous system and the whole body. Consuming carbohydrates can help to restore the level of liver glycogen and muscles, thus enhancing your performance. A diet that is high in carbohydrates increases your energy levels and allows you to recover faster from workouts.
However, you should take care when selecting carbohydrates to include in your diet. According to the findings of a 2016 meta-analysis, foods that are high in sugar can increase up to three times the risk of mortality from heart disease. Therefore, you should go for complex carbohydrates such as wheat, brown rice, oats, and barley that the body releases slowly into the bloodstream. Whole grains low levels of bad cholesterol will reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Eating complex carbohydrates foods, which include whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, slow the digestive process, so you feel fuller for longer and eat fewer calories by the end of the day.
Foods that Protect Your Liver
According to a study, steroids can affect the liver and cause hepatic enlargement, acute liver injury, and chronic viral hepatitis. To avoid damage to your liver, you must consume healthy meals. An excellent example of a food that you can consume is beta-glucan, it’s a fiber found naturally in oats, barley, and yeast. Beta-glucan reduces liver damage and protects it from oxidative stress. Another choice is black garlic, which is rich in organosulfur and antioxidant and offers anti-obesity, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory benefits. You can also consume grapefruit, berries, and grapes because they have hepatoprotective effects also. Avoid alcohol because it can lead to liver inflammation.
People around the world use nonstick pots and pans for their everyday cooking. But there’s controversy around nonstick coatings, such as Teflon.
Some sources claim they’re harmful and linked to health conditions such as cancer, while others insist that cooking with nonstick cookware is completely safe. Nonstick cookware, such as frypans and saucepans, has been coated with a material called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commonly known as Teflon.
At times, you may have to take supplements to protect your liver. To be a responsible steroid user, you may have to take supplements to provide all the building blocks required to repair and restore your liver during and after using steroids. One of the most popular supplements is N2Guard, and no bodybuilder does an oral cycle without using it. If you responsibly consume steroids, your liver will increase slightly then reduce. However, doctors recommend using natural products that are a healthy diet to protect your liver as opposed to supplements.
Limit Use of Salt
Limit the use of salt, sodium products, and salted snacks when on steroids. We get sodium from the foods we consume, and most of it comes from salt. Sodium is vital in the body as it helps to control the amount of water in the body and blood pressure. However, when taking steroids, you need to eat foods that have low sodium levels because steroids can cause the body to hold extra water. Too much sodium in the diet can cause puffiness around the ankles and eyes. To lower the amount of salt, you can try the following: do not put salt on your food, use less salt when cooking, keep the saltshaker out of sight, and avoid processed foods.
Conclusion
When on a steroid program, it is important that you watch what you eat. In this guide are some of the foods that you should incorporate in your diet. Following the above-proposed diet strategies will help you stay healthy and fit while using steroids. But when buying yourself one, make sure you buy steroids in Canada.
