Anyone on a low-cholesterol diet?

[lateo]

The doctor wanted to put me on a cholesterol reducing drug and I said no. I'm 210 and he want me below 200. I think I can swing this w/o taking drugs to do it.

Any advice on websites or personal dishes that you like?

[napi21]

1. My husband had a quad bypass 10 yrs ago, and was told to

go on a low fat diet. He actually tried that diet before his surgury and did quite well, but it takes a lot of personal dicipline. We did a vegeterian diet for 2 months. It's not as bad as you think. spaghetti with regular tomato sauce, Ham & Bean soup (stew) using powdered ham flavoring instead of the ham, oriental stir fry with all the seasonings and vegies but no meat, lots of different salads. Just look up vegeterian recipes on the net, and you'll be surprised at what all you find that is really good.

Unfortunately, when they did an angeogram, the build up in his veins was already fairly high, and the drs strongly recommended the bypass.

He's been just fine ever since, but is on Lipitor. Has been for 10 years now. It's had no side effects, and other than having to have a blood test ever 3 to 6 months, it's no big deal.

Why are you afraid of one of the lipid drugs?

[yewberry]

2. Not me personally.

But you could look for information at http://heart.kumu.org
That particular group is (I think) aimed at those with heart disease. The MacDougall program and the Ornish program are aimed at those who have had heart attacks/bypasses already.

Also, you can ask questions of Dr. Pinckney at http://www.vegsource.com/healingheart/index.html
I think this one is for those looking for more preventative help.

Good luck!

[Mz Pip]

3. Me!

Total cholesterol was at 260. Doc says I needed to lose weight and exercize. I've lost 25 lbs and get to exercize class 3-4 times a week. The thought of having to take pills was a huge motivator for me.

I cut out cheese and chips. I would eat Brie for breakfast. Seriously, I would. And I cut down on my portions. I started eating more vegetables and fruit. I did not go on any particular diet.

I also have been eating oatmeal for breakfast every day for the past 6 months. Everyday. Every damn day. I really miss the cheese but look and feel a bunch better. Will get the new test results back this coming week. They'd better be good.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Skittles]

6. GOOD JOB Mz Pip

:thumbsup:

hey, when did you get a space in your name - you ARE mzpip right - the guy with the goofy cat the vet techs fawn over? :D

[Mz Pip]

8. That would be me.

I altered my screen name when we had that name change period.

And yes, I am owned by Gilbey the ugliest cat in the Gallery. If I could figure out how to do it I would post him in my sig line. :o)

Gilbey had his teeth clean last week. His fangs are all shiney white now. :-)

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Skittles]

10. aw, Gilbey ROCKS!

of all the cats in the gallery he really caught my eye! I think he is quite adorable! :D

[yellowdogintexas]

12. put cinnamon in your oatmeal, and a tsp of very very light

tasting olive oil. Both are good for cholesterol and blood sugar.

(on edit: use the oatmeal that takes more time to cook, because it has more fiber and other good stuff. It also tastes better. )

[Bouncy Ball]

4. Eat oatmeal and Cheerios.

Watch your saturated fat, that's where your cholesterol comes in.

Also, watch your sugar intake, that'll drive up your triglycerides.

I apparently have a genetic tendency to high cholesterol, even when I'm totally in kick ass shape. My mother and grandmother had the same problem.

I take Niaspan, a prescription strength, timed release pill of niacin, a simple mineral. It's timed release because if you took that much all at once, you'd have all over flushing, hot sweats, tingling and itching. It's horrible. Even WITH the timed release you can get that.

But it's not a drug, it's just a mineral. And it helped me tremendously. Got my good cholesterol up, my bad cholesterol down.

Ask your doctor if you can try niaspan before you try a drug.

[Skittles]

5. tip for you lateo

log into www.fitday.com and log everything you eat daily - you can chart your calories, protein/fat/carb intake - as well as how much cholesteral the food you are eating contains. It is free and easy to use - if you can't find a particular food you eat you can customize it.

I agree with you that you should attempt to control your cholesterol through diet and exercise before you resort to drugs. Do be advised, however, that some folk have a tough time of it no matter what they do and drugs could be a last resort. GOOD LUCK!

[LeftyMom]

7. I highly reccomend the McDougal diet

I'm also absolutely in love with so many recipies on vegweb.com, they'd all work for you because being vegan they have no cholesterol.

[Floogeldy]

9. Put a little less cheese on those homemade grilled cheese sandwiches

And easy on the T-bones, too.

B-)

[lateo]

11. kick