High cholesterol...

Question
Hello,
I had high cholesterol and my Doc put me on Lipitor. My cholesterol# has gone from 235 to 155, last I checked within last year. Now, the bad cholesterol is low and the good is low too, with elevated blood sugar. I am 35 and it isn't as easy as it used to be to go up and down with my weight. I'm told the same old stuff; lose weight, exercise, stop smoking, drinking, eat low fat-non greasy food. All that sounds like the right idea, but in reality, how many people really follow a regimen like that unless they run into problems. However, I do feel that I can enjoy the things I like in a bit more moderation than I have been accustomed to for the last 15 years of my life. I am 35 and weigh 225, as of late. Is there a general rule of thumb to follow for people like me regarding nutrition, diet and general health? For example, should I always bake instead of fry? Except when it's too hot to bake, what then? I used to love steak, but I have not eaten it as much and have stuck with the chicken and other meats more. I love salad, but when I get done making it, it seems more like a meal for a king rather than a healthy dish! I'd just like some "easy" ideas to get in the right direction. Easy, being a loose term there! I still have time to quit some things and turn my health around, I just need a few good tips. Thanks for reading.

Answer
Mike,

If I had a dime for every person who asked me for "some good tips", I'd have gas money for my car (I drive a hybrid).

Anyway.  I do have a few ideas for you.

For starters..."how many people really follow a regimen like that unless they run into problems"?  The ones who follow the low-fat, healthy diet routine for a long time (and who start at an 'early' age) are much less likely to "run into problems".  Mike, it's called "prevention".  There is no cure for cardiovascular disease, only prevention.

"Is there a general rule of thumb to follow for people like me regarding nutrition, diet and general health?"  YES!
The basic principles of a healthy diet plan include:
* Eat a diet low in saturated fats (animal fats) and trans-fatty acids (margarine or shortening).
* Eat fish at least twice a week.
* Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables - daily.
* Eat a variety of grain products, especially whole grains (complex carbohydrates).
* Limit sugars and low nutrient foods high in sugar such as soda pop, candy, etc. (simple carbohydrates).
* Eat an appropriate number of calories to maintain a healthy weight.
* Stay physically active to remain fit. Exercise 30 minutes or more on most days.

For more info on diet (and cholesterol), go to:
http://home.comcast.net/~lipid-clinic/diet.html

Or, you can go to the new government diet website:
http://www.mypyramid.gov/

The best thing you can do is to learn about NUTRITION and COOKING.  LEARN, learn, learn.  How can we make good decisions if we do not understand the basics of nutrition and cooking.

The American Heart Association has a lot of good web pages and books:
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/

Nutrition Facts:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=855

Managing Your Weight:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=505

Menu Planning:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4665

Try the American Dietetic Association:
http://www.eatright.org/

Mike, you are still young so there is still time to avert health disasters from having high cholesterol, being overweight, having high blood sugar (borderline diabetes), having a poor diet and poor exercise habits.  Don't become a statistic.

Best of luck and get back with me later if you have any other questions.

Todd
www.lipid-clinic.com

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