While I haven't received the results in the mail yet (they should be here in a few days), a nurse from the hospital called me on Friday to let me know that my blood screening showed cholesterol levels that are out of the "borderline high" range (which I had maintained for years) and now well into the "high" and dangerous range.
So, a big part of this journey is going to be lowering my cholesterol and unclogging my arteries. Clearly, weight has a lot to do with it, and weight loss will always aid in building good cholesterol and fighting bad cholesterol. That factor notwithstanding, I never thought my diet would contribute to poor cholesterol levels because I cook with healthy oils, eat mainly whole grains (including oatmeal for breakfast), limit dairy products (and drink skim milk), consume red meat only once or twice per week on average, and take daily supplements (multivitamin and fish oil). Still, this is where I find myself, and I have to take action not only in terms of exercising and losing weight, but also in my daily approach to food ingredients.
Many people believe that eating cholesterol-high foods (such as eggs) contributes to high cholesterol values, but research has shown that this is probably untrue. The real culprit is saturated fat, which is found mainly in red meat, dairy products, and processed foods.
So, given what I outlined above regarding the basics of my diet – and because, try as I might, I just can't give up full-fat cheese – what are your suggestions for lowering cholesterol?
Obviously, cutting out fast food will eliminate some degree of slime and red meat from my diet, which could in and of itself make a difference.
I'm really pulling for you Joe. I'm impressed, and proud of your candid approach to this. It takes a lot of courage to broadcast something that you've kept private for so long.
ReplyDeleteNo ideas about cholesterol off the top of my head, but I have quite a few friends who've shed 10-15 lbs simply by cutting gluten out of their diets as well. It's a tough one... but maybe something to look into. There are many other ways to get the proper amount of whole grain, including the oatmeal which you are already doing. Quinoa is an awesome one. It"s a complete protein, and has lots of essential amino acids. Mucho fiber too.
Thank you for this comment, Lemonade And. It was very special.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I could cut out gluten, but Amy and I do enjoy things like quinoa. And, around here, most people have no idea what it is. :) We use it regularly.