Last year, at WS's annual physical, it was found that his blood pressure and cholesterol were at borderline levels. Borderline between being normal and being too high.
This year, both were over that line and the doc suggested he go on the DASH diet.
We had always tried to be fairly healthy eaters, but you know how that goes. I would buy fruit and it would languish forgotten in the crisper drawer. I bought bagged salads - I would eat them for lunch, but WS didn't want to take the time to "make" a salad so he would just grab leftovers that he could microwave. His breakfast (eaten at work) was mini muffins, since he didn't want to take time to cook something (although he had milk with them - so that is something).
Although we didn't convert to the DASH diet, we did change a few of our habits.
I went on a fruit crusade. I buy oranges, apples and bananas every week. They go in a bowl on the counter next to the stove, so are always in sight. I buy an extra bag of salad and remind WS (okay, just say it out loud - I know you thought it -
NAGGED) WS that there was salad in the fridge that would go bad unless he ate it. I've begun using Mrs. Dash products to replace the salt in many recipes (never used a lot of salt anyway, but every little bit helps).
He did his part too. He changed from mini muffins to English Muffins - even going so far as sometimes getting the whole grain type. He takes a piece of fruit for lunch every day and eats salad for lunch 1-2 times per week. He doesn't complain when I get the whole grain pasta instead of the regular stuff (although we still get some regular pasta). He didn't look funny at the 50% less fat cheese (we can't live without cheese - and even the light cheese is good).
Last week he had blood tests again (3 months since his last testing) and this Thursday he had a doctor's appointment.
His cholesterol is below 200 and his blood pressure is back into the normal range. Now we just have to work on his triglycerides.
We've been going through much the same since Mike's diabetes diagnosis. I'm borderline too so we've made a fairly drastic change in the way we eat. Cooked breakfast every morning, low or no-sugar products, etc. Took some getting used to, but we both feel much better now.
We've discovered it's more efficient to keep lots of dried fruit (though we still buy some fresh every week). Doesn't spoil as quickly.
Posted by: rita | December 23, 2006 at 07:52 AM
Dried fruit is a great idea!
Posted by: bogie | December 24, 2006 at 07:15 AM