I feel like I'm dying :(

[monkeybug]

A great (and free), tool to start monitoring your diet is the website www.mypyramidtracker.gov
It keeps track of what type of foods you eat, their nutritional values, and your physical activity. It will analyze the information that you put in and let you know what you have too much of, and what you need more of. It even gives vitamin information! It's very user friendly and I use it even while pregnant, just to make sure I'm giving the little guy what he needs.
Probably wouldn't substitute a good nutritionist, but it's much better than just winging it until you get the chance to see one!

 

[mjkacmom]

Exactly.

Most people believe the advertising that low fat or fat free is always better and it's really not.



From reading this thread, I think I need to cut out even more sugar (cut out most of my soda drinking a while ago) and cut out some of the white carbs. I eat a lot of white breads.

I try to eat salads more often, unfortunately, they always go bad before I can get them eaten and it ends up wasted. I do eat fruit quite often. Lots of apples and grapefruit especially.


You might also try a supplement called Cholest-Off. I dont know if it works well or not, but I take it every now and then.

I think she was referring to plain greek yogurt, not the kind with sugar, so fat free is better.

 

[Magpie]

Since finding out these results, this is what I have eaten today:

Breakfast: Yogurt and fresh fruit parfait with a little granola

Mid-breakfast: small apple juice

Lunch: Salad with assorted veggies, a small roll and fruit

I'm so upset about these blood results I can't relax until my numbers adjust. I look at food differently now. I have two categories for food: REAL & FAKE. Fake foods are processed foods that I like: ie: Captain Crunch. I'm trying to eat more REAL (ie whole) foods over the next few hours/days until it becomes second nature.

What a great start! This would be perfect for me and my daughter!

I love your idea of dividing food into Real and Fake!

However for my husband and son (both of whom tend toward weight-gain, and have blood-sugar issues), this wouldn't work. Too much sugar would have their blood sugar going up and down, and they'd get very hungry and cranky if they ate like you just did.

My son is hypoglycemic, and it's especially important that he eat carefully and keep his blood sugar level, or he could become diabetic later on.

Here are the rules for feeding my son:

Foods that can be eaten ANYTIME

Beef, Chicken, Pork (pick lean cuts and go light on the sauces)

Fish (don't get the breaded, or drenched in sauce kind)

Milk and Cheese

Eggs

Vegetables (load up on these, but go light on the butter!)

Nuts (unsalted, preferably!)

Foods that can be eaten SOMETIME (these are best served in combination with "Anytime" foods)

Fruit (ie, have that apple with a little piece of cheese)

Whole Grains

Plain or Sugar-free Yogurt (watch out for the sweetened kind - it can be as bad as candy)

Sugar-Free, Caffeine-Free Soda (watch the sodium!)

Sugar-Free Snacks (ditto)

Foods to AVOID

White Bread

White Rice

Potatoes, Chips

Caffeinated Drinks

Juice (way too much sugar, no better than pop!)

Candy, Ice Cream

Now, this diet was never intended to help him lose weight, but interestingly enough he did slim down a bit. He's gone from an always-hungry, puffy-looking kid right on the cusp of being overweight, to an average kid with an average appetite.

It's also very similar to the rules we follow for my husband, on the South Beach diet.

 

[mjkacmom]

Since finding out these results, this is what I have eaten today:

Breakfast: Yogurt and fresh fruit parfait with a little granola

Mid-breakfast: small apple juice

Lunch: Salad with assorted veggies, a small roll and fruit

I'm so upset about these blood results I can't relax until my numbers adjust. I look at food differently now. I have two categories for food: REAL & FAKE. Fake foods are processed foods that I like: ie: Captain Crunch. I'm trying to eat more REAL (ie whole) foods over the next few hours/days until it becomes second nature.

You might want to try weight watchers - it will help out a lot! If that was sweetened yogurt, not good, granola is loaded with fat and sugar. Apple juice isn't much better for you than soda - exactly the same amount of sugar - we don't even keep it in the house. If the roll wasn't whole grain, not good for you.

 

[kirbydog48]

What's really worked for me is to eat 5 times a day, and eat protein at each meal/snack. For instance for lunch, I would skip the bread and add lean protein, like grilled chicken. A snack might be an apple and a small handful of almonds, or a little string cheese and whole grain crackers, or some raw vegetables with hummus or a dip made from greek yogurt. I would skip the juice, as it's not as satisfying and might actually make you more hungry because of how it affects blood sugar. I have cut out sugar and flour from my diet, and 20 lbs has dropped off. I also do cardio 2-3 times a week and workout with a trainer 3 times a week. I would highly recommend the book "Ultrametabolism" by Dr. Mark Hyman. I really admire how you really are focused on doing something to improve your health!

 

[cteddiesgirl]

What a great start! This would be perfect for me and my daughter!

I love your idea of dividing food into Real and Fake!

However for my husband and son (both of whom tend toward weight-gain, and have blood-sugar issues), this wouldn't work. Too much sugar would have their blood sugar going up and down, and they'd get very hungry and cranky if they ate like you just did.

My son is hypoglycemic, and it's especially important that he eat carefully and keep his blood sugar level, or he could become diabetic later on.

Here are the rules for feeding my son:

Foods that can be eaten ANYTIME

Beef, Chicken, Pork (pick lean cuts and go light on the sauces)

Fish (don't get the breaded, or drenched in sauce kind)

Milk and Cheese

Eggs

Vegetables (load up on these, but go light on the butter!)

Nuts (unsalted, preferably!)

Foods that can be eaten SOMETIME (these are best served in combination with "Anytime" foods)

Fruit (ie, have that apple with a little piece of cheese)

Whole Grains

Plain or Sugar-free Yogurt (watch out for the sweetened kind - it can be as bad as candy)

Sugar-Free, Caffeine-Free Soda (watch the sodium!)

Sugar-Free Snacks (ditto)

Foods to AVOID

White Bread

White Rice

Potatoes, Chips

Caffeinated Drinks

Juice (way too much sugar, no better than pop!)

Candy, Ice Cream

Now, this diet was never intended to help him lose weight, but interestingly enough he did slim down a bit. He's gone from an always-hungry, puffy-looking kid right on the cusp of being overweight, to an average kid with an average appetite.

It's also very similar to the rules we follow for my husband, on the South Beach diet.

I am also hypoglycemic. I agree with what you've said. Except, the foods to avoid would be changed to foods to be avoided most of the time. The occasional small treat is good. It also helps to keep you from craving them and then gorging out on them.

Also, juice could be up with the Sometimes foods if you can find 100% juice and not the crap that has sugar or HFCS added. Unfortunately, those can be difficult to find unless you stick to OJ, cranberry, apple and grape.

I also don't like doing sugar free (artificially sweetened) anything except gum. I do chew quite a bit of gum to help keep me from eating all the time.

Everything in moderation is a good rule to live by. Especially when it comes to diet.

 

[minkydog]

OP, in April 2009 my numbers were at least as bad as yours. In fact, my triglycerides were 483 Shortly after that bit of bad news, I found out that I also have type 2 diabetes(often goes along with high trigs.) Finding out that I had two very serious health conditions really got my attention. I'm only 53, but the women in my family die of heart disease, mostly in their 70s. My health is much worse than my mother's was in HER 50s.

I have changed my diet, started working out at the Y, started medications for both diabetes and triglycerides, and lost 50-lb. In June 2010, my triglycerides were 144 and my HDL was 40--still not where it needs to be but a lot better than 22, which is where it was before. So I just wanted you to know that there is hope! You can do this.

 

[HMGar]

I got blood test results back this morning:

Triglycerides: 285 (should be less than 150)

HDL : 18!!! (should be higher than 50 for females)

How can I reverse this??? Any advice is appreciated. I'm headed for a heart attack!

I would think your doctor would be the best resource for advice. He/she can ask you the right questions and get you on your way back to health.

But on a side note, I have to suggest Dr Oz. I think he's on at 10ish in the morning (central time). MOST of his shows deal with reversing the signs of heart failure. Give him a peek. He's really informative.

 

[minkydog]

I would think your doctor would be the best resource for advice. He/she can ask you the right questions and get you on your way back to health.

But on a side note, I have to suggest Dr Oz. I think he's on at 10ish in the morning (central time). MOST of his shows deal with reversing the signs of heart failure. Give him a peek. He's really informative.

and really creepy

 

[OceanAnnie]

I've read the thread, I don't think I'm repeating anyone.

Read, Eat This, Not That. It is a series of books to help navigate grocery stores, restaurants and such. There is a book out, Eat This, Not That: For Men, specifically. This will help you on your way. It's about making better choices, paying attention to labels and being informed. Some of the restaurant choices were surprising to me. You still get flavorful meals, just switching out calories and the bad stuff. Even some of the "good" and "healthy" listings at restaurants and grocery stores are misleading. These books (and e-mails) will help as a guide. It's some eye opening stuff!

I signed up for the free e-mails, from Eat This, Not That. I highly recommend them! I do occasionally eat at fast food places, but I make the healthiest choices available (most times) and don't feel bad about it. I do look up the stats before I go or have an idea (from the e-mails or websites I visit).

 

[NY Disney fan]

OP, in April 2009 my numbers were at least as bad as yours. In fact, my triglycerides were 483 Shortly after that bit of bad news, I found out that I also have type 2 diabetes(often goes along with high trigs.) Finding out that I had two very serious health conditions really got my attention. I'm only 53, but the women in my family die of heart disease, mostly in their 70s. My health is much worse than my mother's was in HER 50s.

I have changed my diet, started working out at the Y, started medications for both diabetes and triglycerides, and lost 50-lb. In June 2010, my triglycerides were 144 and my HDL was 40--still not where it needs to be but a lot better than 22, which is where it was before. So I just wanted you to know that there is hope! You can do this.

Thank you. That is inspiring.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I forgot to post a link for, Eat This, Not That.

Here it is:

http://eatthis.menshealth.com/home

Hope it helps!

 

[Magpie]

I am also hypoglycemic. I agree with what you've said. Except, the foods to avoid would be changed to foods to be avoided most of the time. The occasional small treat is good. It also helps to keep you from craving them and then gorging out on them.

Also, juice could be up with the Sometimes foods if you can find 100% juice and not the crap that has sugar or HFCS added. Unfortunately, those can be difficult to find unless you stick to OJ, cranberry, apple and grape.

I also don't like doing sugar free (artificially sweetened) anything except gum. I do chew quite a bit of gum to help keep me from eating all the time.

Everything in moderation is a good rule to live by. Especially when it comes to diet.

Very true! And in fact, in reality that's what we practice. But with a 12yo it's good to stay away from the shades of gray. 12yos don't do moderation. He's a "foot in the door, down the slippery slope" kind of guy. The exception is the rule.

So we tell him "no exceptions"... except when we decide to make an exception!

We're also trying to teach him to pay attention to his body's signals, and recognize when his blood sugar is getting wonky. It's hard for him, because rationality isn't his strong suit when he's gone off his diet. But he's getting better!

He had an ice cream cone on vacation. And then some chips the next day. And toast with breakfast. And the rest of my ice cream. And fries with dinner... by the third day we could all see the black clouds gathering over his head. So I said, "Okay, kiddo. Back on the wagon with you!" "I'm fine!" "No, you're not." 24 hours later, despite some whinging about having to eat his burger without a bun and get salad instead of fries, he was back to his old sunny self.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Since finding out these results, this is what I have eaten today:

Breakfast: Yogurt and fresh fruit parfait with a little granola

Mid-breakfast: small apple juice

Lunch: Salad with assorted veggies, a small roll and fruit

I'm so upset about these blood results I can't relax until my numbers adjust. I look at food differently now. I have two categories for food: REAL & FAKE. Fake foods are processed foods that I like: ie: Captain Crunch. I'm trying to eat more REAL (ie whole) foods over the next few hours/days until it becomes second nature.

So how did it go the rest of the day and how did you do today?

I just wanted to say here that this is a good start - certainly better than a Sausage Egg McMuffin, lol. But just wanted to point out (as others have) that you could use some low fat proteins here.

If you like yogurt, as I do, Greek style yogurts are high in protein and low in fats and sugars. Plus they're filling. Try Chobani.

Another tip I learned (from a Registered Dietician) is: instead of buying cold cuts for sandwiches, which are generally high in sodium and fat, cook a lean roast, seasoned yourself preferably with spices other than salt, and use it for sandwiches during the week, on whole wheat bread or pitas.

Another tip she gave me is that cheese on sandwiches should be no more than once a week, and things like hot dogs and chocolate are "vacation foods", ie meant to be eaten in extreme moderation. ( I know, but good food for thought.)

This thread was a good reminder for all of us.

 

[legalsea]

My tip on yogurt: make your own. You can make it for a lot less money than it costs to buy prepared yogurt, plus you know exactly what is in it.

Making yogurt is easy:

1. On the stovetop, heat your milk (I make a quart at a time, using fat-free milk) to 180 degrees (the boiling point of milk); allow it to stay at that temperature for a minute or two to kill the undesireable bacteria.

2. Cool the milk back down to 108-112 degrees.

3. Add the yogurt culture. I either purchase dried yogurt culture at the grocery store (in the refrigerated section of dairy products), or add a tablespoon of already made yogurt (for instance, if there is a particular yogurt you like at the store, buy it, and then use it as the starter for your yogurt).

4. The tricky part is keeping the mixture at the proper temperature (108-112) for the next four or five hours. That is what the yogurt machines are for. I have the Yogourmet yogurt maker. You simply pour your mixture into the bowl, place the bowl in the machine (into which you have already put a cup of water), put the top on, plug in, and you are done.

5. When your yogurt is done (4-5 hours) place yogurt into refrigerator (to stop the process).

I also use the Cuisipro Donvier Yogurt Cheese Maker to thicken the yogurt (pour the mixture into the maker, which has a screen; it separates the whey from the yogurt). The longer you leave the yogurt in, the more thick it becomes (indeed, long enough and you have very satisfactory sour cream).

Add blueberries, etc, as desired. Even if you add nothing, I bet you find your fresh yogurt much better than the plain yogurt from the store.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Add blueberries, etc, as desired.

I usually have fresh blueberries in yogurt for breakfast every morning.

Bluberries are great antioxidants.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

NY Disney Fan, I meant to ask you yesterday - why are you so opposed to going on medication?

 

[mhsjax]

NY Disney Fan, I meant to ask you yesterday - why are you so opposed to going on medication?

Sorry I am not the op, but I know for my hubby, and getting off is never an option for him. Those meds have some pretty serious side effects. He has to be tested about every 6 months to make sure they aren't damaging his liver, not to mention the achy joints that you have to live with. I think unless you absolutely have too, putting meds into your system is just not a good way to go.

 

[npmommie]

Jeff Novick is heavily vegetarian-focused, not vegan, and even beyond that, his approach does acknowledge that not everyone wishes to, nor necessarily needs to, stick with a 100% vegetarian approach 24/7.

Jeff is formerly director of nutrition for the Pritiken Institute in the Miami area... and he's a (distant) cousin.

dr fuhrman is the same, he acknowledges that not everyone will go vegan, he includes plan for adding chicken and fish to a diet.
his basic approach whether you go vegan or not is that you should concentrate on nutrient dense foods.

Since finding out these results, this is what I have eaten today:

Breakfast: Yogurt and fresh fruit parfait with a little granola

Mid-breakfast: small apple juice

Lunch: Salad with assorted veggies, a small roll and fruit

I'm so upset about these blood results I can't relax until my numbers adjust. I look at food differently now. I have two categories for food: REAL & FAKE. Fake foods are processed foods that I like: ie: Captain Crunch. I'm trying to eat more REAL (ie whole) foods over the next few hours/days until it becomes second nature.

I would have had an apple as opposed to the apple juice which is just concentrated sugar.
with the apple you get the fiber as well as all the other nutrients

don't be upset you are making great changes already

 

[Tiana]

.