Dr. chaning diet to low fat?!?!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-01-2003
Dr. chaning diet to low fat?!?!
4
Thu, 08-26-2004 - 2:33pm
Hey there!

I haven't been around in a long while and wanted to say hello and ask yet another question. My dr. has told me my cholesterol is tooooo high and needs to get under control. He is recommending a low fat diet as opposed to the low-carb diet I've been on for about 6 months. The low carb diet has kept my bs readings generally within the normal range. The low fat diet created such a yo yo effect with the bs - I am hesitant to go back! Which of the two evils (high cholesterol or diabetes) would you address??

Thanks a ton!!

Jennifer

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 08-27-2004 - 2:26am

Jennifer,


The answer is that you have to address both of them. Diabetics have a many times the normal incidences of heart attack and so you have to get the cholesterol down and HDL up. Weight loss, low saturated fat diet and exercise will help but often you can't do it with these alone and you need medication. What you will need to go is keep your carbohydrates under control but add in fresh fruits and veggies and lessen your fat intake. Do you count carbs?


I am sure you saw our Olympic challenge about the number of steps you take per day. Start increasing your steps until you reach the 10,000 mark per day. You don't need a fancy pedometer with lots of bells and whisles but you do need one to help you. I have had my pedometer for three weeks and I am amazed at how many steps I take some days and how little others. It has also encouraged me to get my body moving more. But I haven't managed to get past 5,000 steps yet. I am taking it slowly and that is my intermediate goal on the way to the 10,000.


So glad you came back to see you and I hope otherwise that things are going well with you,

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40

Co-CL Diabetes Board


Avatar for cl_d_minnick
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 08-27-2004 - 3:00am

I would most definately address both issues since they can both can go hand in hand with diabetes causing some to have heart issues. Besides by doing them both together you can get both under control, which is so very important as you already know. Just taking care of one will only cause the other to get really out of control, which can cause you to experience some major problems. So just attack both of them to see if you can get your blood sugars in control while doing your heart a big favor by lowering your fat intake. Besides eating healthier is the best thing for everybody with diabetes in which we all really should watch our fat intake to avoid heart problems.


So do your best since I know it is going to be rough on you with trying to eat a new way while trying to get your blood sugars in control due to the new eating style. Just know that we are all here for you to give you some support, which we all can use from time to time. Let us know how things go for you with the new eating plan and blood sugars. Take care and do have a wonderful day!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-01-2003
Fri, 08-27-2004 - 8:54am
Thanks ladies!

I received the diet in the mail yesterday and posted it on the fridge...hopefully it will help with the motivation! The pedometer is a great start - it will be interesting just how many steps I take on an average day- I'll let you know!

The blood test the Dr. ordered was called the VAP - I have two test results and they both highlight the heredity factor (both my parents have heart disease) - so this isn't really much of a surprise to me - just shocking that I'm effected at 39 while my parents were in their 60's....So I'm off to the bookstore to research some great recipe books - I'll check in soon!

THanks again for the encouragement!

Jennifer

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 08-29-2004 - 11:23pm

Jennifer,


I hope you looked for a good diabetic cookbook as it will address both issues at the same time. My current favorite cookbook is The New Family Cookbook for People With Diabetes. It is from the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association. It's ISBN number is 0-684-82660-7. If you take this number to anybook store they can order the book for you. I have posted several recipes from this cookbook in the recipe folder so take a look and see what you think.


Cheers,

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40

Co-CL Diabetes Board