Low/No cholesterol/salt suggestions

[71flh]

I'm on cholesterol meds and told I'm prediabetic, so any suggestions for low/no cholesterol and low/no salt recipes would be nice.

From what I read, it seems more exercise, less animal foods, less (particularly trans and saturated) fat, less processed food, (way) more fiber, (way) and more niacin are the way to go.

I should become a goat :|

[Todd80Z28]

I'm on cholesterol meds and told I'm prediabetic

Then I would not focus on low cholesterol and low salt foods, and instead focus on reducing your high refined/simple carb intake. I'd lay money that this is the real problem.

Potatoes, white rice, white bread, snacks, and yes, alcohol. These will do more to push up LDL cholesterol and insulin resistance than lowering your intake of high cholesterol foods will, by far. Salt has a larger effect on blood pressure than anything else. And yes, exercise will absolutely help.

I'm much better at giving this advice than taking it.. Good luck!

[Bikefixr]

I am in the same boat. Had my 1st Physical in 35 years and my MD reamed me. I kept a food/drink/snack Diary for 3 weeks. I was chowing down almost 4,000 calories a day. Were it not for a very high metabolism, I''d be 400lbs. But the blood sugar was on the high side of normal, cholesterol was 215 but he did a very broad panel and that looked at 20 parameters. The 4 that were screaming high ( off the chart) are genetically controlled. So I started Crestor...first med I have ever been on. I got the marching orders, gotta lose 40 lbs, period. Lucky me, I was told to have some alcohol daily. It emulsifies fats in the blood.

So the Dietician and I had a long talk. I told her I am 51, have zero blockages or plaques, and generally in good shape. I am not living on bird seed and salads. So the solution was this:

1) set long term goals. It's a marathon, so if it takes a year, so be it.
2) Look for the easy calories first and start there.
3) Alter the easy habits first
4) Don't deprive yourself of anything 100%

So the solutions were, and maybe these will help you.

1) It took 50 years to make the problem. 1 year to fix it is not unreasonable, and should allow me to still enjoy food. 1 pound a WEEK is not tough to do, and allows the body plenty of time to acclimate.
2) I cut out all sugared sodas ( I drank 2-3 daily, love my Coca Cola) and allow 1 on the weekend. I drastically reduced white breads, potato any added white sugar, cut beer in half. Honestly, after 3 weeks I have realized that this was easier than I thought. I just don't miss any of it.
3) I changed habits. I do NOT have anything to eat after 7PM except popcorn, or some Rye toast or something very light. I have stopped ALL fast foods except WENDYS Taco Salad and Moe's burrito's because I control what goes into it. I walk 30 mins at night with my wife. I reduce my portions. I don't fill the plate. I slowed my eating down. I read a book while eating ( I eat off-hours ) so it slows me down. After 30 mins, I look at the plate and usually find I don't need to finish it.
4) Don't deprive. Life is too short to not enjoy something as simple as food. We host regularly in summer. At least 3 tiimes a month. The amount of food is crazy. So what I've done is add more fish, more veggies. When I buy Steaks, I buy the usual T-Bones, NY Strips for the crowd. Now, I can sit and polish one off no problem. But instead, I buy myself a Prime Filet Mignon. Yeah, it's $17 / pound, but so tasty and wonderful that I don't miss the larger portion at all. Eat More Chikin', like the signs say.

One of the biggest culprits are oils. Check out what's in the oils we use. Holy Crap! Look for non-saturated, low weight oils. No more heavy oils. Saturated fats are tough to digest. I still use butter. Margerine is just as fatty and tastes gross to me. Just use less of it.

So for me...after 3 weeks, I lost 8 lbs, 1 inch on the waist, and have not had an episode of reflux or heartburn in 2 weeks...a record. I chew Zantac like Candy. I've discovered I feel better already with less severe blood sugar swings. I still eat Lasagna, Chicken Marsala, Steak, Pork Ribs. I don't eat potato, chips, munchies, sugar, full-calorie sodas, anything artificially sweetened when avoidable, and went from whole milk to 2%. Good luck. We owe it to ourselves to do better.

[Aceshigh]

Hmmm.....

Originally Posted by 71flh

Have you done a web search on Health?

I always wonder about people who ask questions, but don't search. So waiting for car guys opinions (generally not known as Health people) rather than searching and getting a million hits in a second is a good idea how?

Maybe Health info is a bad idea for people so unproactive...

[Keizer]

Originally Posted by Todd80Z28

Then I would not focus on low cholesterol and low salt foods, and instead focus on reducing your high refined/simple carb intake. I'd lay money that this is the real problem.

Potatoes, white rice, white bread, snacks, and yes, alcohol. These will do more to push up LDL cholesterol and insulin resistance than lowering your intake of high cholesterol foods will, by far. Salt has a larger effect on blood pressure than anything else. And yes, exercise will absolutely help.

I'm much better at giving this advice than taking it.. Good luck!

Dead ringer right here. This was my problem for the last 46 years.

[Chevrolaine]

Originally Posted by Aceshigh

Hmmm.....

LMAO