Help! I have high cholesterol

lukenick1

DIS Veteran
Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
1,841
Just got a call from my doctor that my total Cholesterol is 241. My LDL was 141. So worried about this. I am a petite person who doesn't smoke but there is high choesterol in my family. I do not even know where to begin and we are going to Disney on Saturday. What in the world am I going to eat while there???
:confused3
 
Not a lot of eggs or red meat to start, then not too much fat. Sometimes if it runs in the family there's not much you can do about it. Did the Dr reco medication?. It stinks when you get a call like that especially right before vacation.
 
Not a lot of eggs or red meat to start, then not too much fat. Sometimes if it runs in the family there's not much you can do about it. Did the Dr reco medication?. It stinks when you get a call like that especially right before vacation.

NO she said to change my diet and come get re-checked in 6 months. I am scared though. Not sure what to eat now?
 
Again, start first with your doctor's recommendation, but in the wake of my heart attack three years ago, the main thing I was advised was to keep saturated fats low, trans fats to an absolute minimum, and try to avoid foods high in sugar. (The latter can cause your insulin to go up and down, which can increase your triglycerides, that are closely related to your cholesterol.)

In terms of eating at WDW - I always talk to the chef at each restaurant and tell them straight out how I am eating. Sometimes they will suggest particular things on the menu, often they will offer to make something not on the menu. The latter have been some of the best dishes I've eaten at WDW.

Having said all this, I know of families who tend to have high cholesterol that don't have unusual health problems. The family just has something in their genetic makeup that gives them unusually high cholesterol, but with a body chemistry that somehow doesn't have problems with it.

ETA - if your doctor is not putting you on meds, that's a good sign. He/she thinks that your condition is mild enough that you can improve your situation without it. Cholesterol meds can cause liver and kidney problems in some folks, so it's best to avoid them if you can.

There are also tons of reputable places online with information about this. I would start at the Mayo Clinic web site and go from there.

I'll finish the way I started - listen to your doctor's suggestions, and then contact the WDW Special Diets department.
 

My father has high cholesterol and Dr. put him on a strict very low cholesterol diet. He stayed on that for 2 years, eating very little fats of any kind. Rechecked every month or so and cholesterol did not change one bit. Had various tests, scans etc. and no issues found. Point is, high cholesterol is normal and not causing blockage etc. for some people. Keep up with Dr checkups and advice and eat healthy, which is possible at the World! We all should stay away from fatty foods no matter what!!
 
I don't think 141 is something to totally freak out about to let it ruin your trip. You've probably been living with this level for a while so a week in wdw is not going to send you into the hospital. Find out what your doctor recommends and go with that. Low fats, no fatty meats, eat oatmeal/fiber/fruits for breakfast, no eggs and sausage ect...

If there is a meal you want to eat, eat it.
 
I don't think 141 is something to totally freak out about to let it ruin your trip. You've probably been living with this level for a while so a week in wdw is not going to send you into the hospital. Find out what your doctor recommends and go with that. Low fats, no fatty meats, eat oatmeal/fiber/fruits for breakfast, no eggs and sausage ect...

If there is a meal you want to eat, eat it.

141 was my bad cholesterol. Total number was 241. The normal range of bad cholesterol is 0-121. So 141 is definitely in the "High" zone.
 
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My husband has high cholesterol too, and we vacation frequently. The first thing you have to remember is to not freak out. It will change your lifestyle a little bit, but there are always alternatives to your favorite foods...you just have to find them :) First off, if you can avoid anything white...go brown...brown rice instead of white, whole wheat instead of white..whole grain pasta instead of plain white pasta...try quinoa or barley..or oatmeal...these are high fiber foods which helps lower cholesterol...also, if you are in the mood for eggs, try scrambled egg whites, or an egg white omelet with vegetables...but ask them to go light on the oil...many people forget about that. If you are in the mood for something sweet, go with fruit whenever possible...it may kill the craving for the sweetness. For meats, try a high protein, low(er) fat meat like chicken breast...or filet mignon, or if you are adventurous...buffalo. Sometimes, however, you will get a craving that you just can't get rid of...in that case it's better to splurge and do a small portion of what you are craving...and then make up for it later in the day...If you know you are going to have eggs benedict for breakfast, then plan on eating better the rest of the day...It's all give and take. You didn't get high cholesterol in one day, and you certainly aren't going to get rid of it in one day :)
 
How do you eat now?

In my opinion I eat pretty healthy. I don't use white bread or white rice or pasta. I NEVER eat pre packaged foods or processed things. However, I am guilty of skipping meals to eat cookies. Love my home made choc chip cookies and home made ice cream:thumbsup2. I drink green tea with 1.5tsp sugar and a little milk or a decaf coffee with the same. I love to eat crackers with cheese and my favorite go to fruits are grapes, and apples. Like to eat trail mix with nuts and chocolate chips in it. Potato chips are a fav as is popcorn. Probably not a good idea to get tested right after the Holidays when I was eating lots of sugar snacks. I am also addicted to chocolate!!!!! We don't eat too much ground beef or steaks. I try to cook with ground turkey and turkey sausage. Always choose chicken breast over dark meat. My mother was on pills and my grandfather was too. Probably something I inherited :( Just feel kind of young for it (almost 40).
 
You certainly can do it at Disney! Fiber is proven to lower cholesterol so make sure you include LOTS of fruit and vegetables as well as whole grains (oatmeal would be a great choice). Cut out obviously fatty things (like getting low fat dressing instead of regular ranch) and limit fried things. Pick a fish, bean or poultry as the main entree. Most entrees at TS restaurants have veggies as sides which is a help. Eggs have an incredible amount of cholesterol in them, one may be all your cholesterol recommended for the whole day! Ask if they have egg whites instead. Also watch for oils and added fats like butter.

Good luck! You can do it!
 
Some great suggestions here!
I would find out if your health insurance covers a consultation with a nutritionist. They can help you out with specific recommendations.
Most importantly, please don't let it ruin your trip. If you try to limit white flour and high fat foods and increase fiber you will be fine and can work on it when you get back.
 
OP
I just got my results on friday and my cholesterol was 240. My dr suggested diet changes and a recheck in a few months. I thought the same as you ! Why did I get tested right after Christmas? My dr suggested red yeast rice , so I am taking those.
I always thought I was eating healthy. After doing some research, I found that it matters more what kind of fats you eat, as oppossed to cholsterol in foods. I know I like my butter, and it has to go!
So just google high cholesterol foods, avoid them, and also watch which kinds of fats you are eating.
 
Studies are now coming out that HIGH cholesterol is more linked to diets HIGH in carbohydrates( particularly the processed kind ),sugar and Processed/packaged foods .Cholesterol numbers singally do not mean anything.You need to look at your LDL,HDL ,Triglycerides and total..I have high cholesterol , but LOW triglycerides and LDL( which is the bad kind of cholesterol).My HDL ( which is HEART PROTECTIVE ) is very high.In any event, Diets with LEAN meats ,fruits and veggies and healthy fats are the way to go.Going too low in all fats makes you more prone to feel hungry and good fats can acutally boost your HDL( good cholesterol).
 
I've been living with high cholesterol for years now, but mine is well controlled by diet and medication. Its not the end of the world as you know it. All it takes is a few changes that are pretty easy to do.

First, get your Dr to give you some guidelines on diet. They've probably got a pre-printed sheet they can give you that tells you which foods to favor and which to avoid. Note that this is not an absolute thing. You can still eat "bad" foods. You just shouldn't make it a habit. :teacher:

Hope that simple changes in eating habits will allow you to control your cholesterol without the need for medication. :thumbsup2
 
You have most likely been eating the same for years. So a change in diet is a good idea, but a few days at WDW eating what you want will not make any difference in 6 months. But always check with your doctor first.
 













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