Menu idea for Spouse w/Carotid Artery Disease

[joneswyman]

Hi there, I am new to Food.com and I have never participated in a community forum before so I apologize up front!!!! lol My husband has just been diagnosed with Carotid Artery Disease; he is also borderline diabetic, has high blood pressure and is over weight. I am trying to come up with menu ideas that he will find tasty but that will still be healthy for him. He is very picky and I am at a loss as to what to cook for him. I work full time in early childhood education and do not get home until after 6 so easy is important as well. Looks like I am asking for the moon doesn’t it but any menu ideas that you might have would be more than what I have right now. Thank you for taking the time to listen

[Charmie777]

Hi! So glad you posted. A great place to ask you question is in our Special Diets Forum. Just click on the link and it will take you there. Maybe there's someone there with a similar situation!

[joneswyman]

Thank you I will.

[mickeydownunder]

Gday and big thanks for your question and in posting here

OK, I have a sugar related issue but not diabetes, so know HOW important it is to limit sugars of ALL kinds

Has your DH doc provided some sort of guideline or a nutritionist or is he and you basically on your own

Do you have a budget? as in my opinion, the first thing you should do is figure out what your budget is; you already mentioned you have limited time and DH is fussy...

OK, fussy vs good health, WHICH will your DH choose?

While MOST people, males AND females perceive that a change of lifestyle (I don't use the word diet) is about nibbling on carrots, celery etc....

I am on a doc directed lifestyle and the weight FELL off me as it is in discipline, changes. His book is called the Dinosaur Gene (you can google it through Amazon) and it explains various conditions and what symptoms are related to it...

The main key is a variety of fresh ingredients...FRESH, from scratch, start reading labels, make your own sauces ie tomato as there are HEAPS of hidden sugars...comes in the name of dextrose, maltodextrose, aspertame NO SPLENDA!!! As it contains YUP!

NO EQUAL!! Contains ...YUP!

I would suggest Xylitol which can be obtained at a health food store, has the same characteristics and taste of sugar but not the same effects in the body I am NOT a fan of Stevia....

With the holidays coming, it is probably not the best time to HAVE to make the changes, but WHAT is the alternative...continued poor health, symptoms, doctor visits, blood tests, hosptializations

think you get the picture...

DH will have to WANT to change....

I would suggest making small changes which will in turn change into MUCH bigger changes and it IS amazing the differences in just 6 weeks...you CAN stop cravings etc...

alcohol...YUP sugar...

Not lecturing...as LIVE this life too, but I look at it as a challenge and as people here will attest, I cook all the time as I am PASSIONATE about it...prepare meals in bulk saving money etc...and this way if you make it at home, you know what goes into it...

no frozen foods...contain too much salt

no prepackaged items...hidden salt...

If you make a list of things DH likes and not...am sure we can all try and help re dishes...

also look for dishes that are higher in protein than carbs...need to limit potatoes, pasta, rice etc...

Initially it IS overwheliming...but after a while, becomes easy peasy even with limited time

For me the choice is simple...I CHOOSE to LIVE

Hope this helps...

Exercise...even minimal is the key...see per hubby's doc what would be most beneficial for him to do daily...

as each step adds up

And initially, I always recommend keeping a food diary of EVERYTHING one east, drinks and HOW much as have found food portions can be HEAPS less....but most people don't believe it ...

Hope this helps

WHOO HOO!

[mickeydownunder]

Saw this and thought it might be helpful too

http://www.soyouwanna.com/diet-carotid-artery-disease-5509.html

Overview
Carotid artery disease occurs when there is a build up of fatty material, called plaque, in your carotid arteries, which run alongside your neck. The arteries bring oxygen-rich blood to the brain, scalp, face and neck. This build-up of plaque can lead to a stroke and other life-threatening diseases. A diet that lowers high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol is a key component to treating carotid artery disease.
TLC And DASH
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends a diet that's low in salt, saturated and trans fats and cholesterol. Two examples of this kind of diet are the therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) and dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diets to keep carotid artery disease from worsening. TLC is typically recommended by your doctor if you have a high cholesterol level. As part of this diet, fewer than 7 percent of the calories you eat each day should come from saturated fats, which are typically found in animal products, including dairy. Overall, this diet keeps your daily intake of fats to less than 35 percent of calories. You'll also need to limit your intake of cholesterol to less than 200 mg a day. The TLC diet does more than focus on the fats you eat. High-fiber foods are also important because they help to eliminate excess cholesterol. High-fiber foods include fruits and vegetables, beans and whole-grain cereals such as oatmeal. If you're not already a fish eater, you'll want to add this important source of omega-3 fatty acids to your diet at least twice a week because it will help to lower your cholesterol level. Salmon, mackerel and tuna are the best sources of these nutrients. While adding these foods is important, you'll also need to reduce the amount of salt and alcohol you consume each day. Both of these substances raise your blood pressure and the fats in your blood. If you have high blood pressure, the DASH diet may be recommended by your health care provider. This diet also is focused on eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains while limiting salt. As part of DASH, you'll need to cut back on red-meat consumption as well as sugar. Fat-free or low-fat milk dairy products are included. The diet is lower in saturated fat, trans fats and cholesterol and higher in foods that provide nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, protein and fiber. Whichever diet your doctor recommends for carotid artery disease, you'll also need to add exercise because it's an important part of treating this dangerous disease.


Read more: Diet for Carotid Artery Disease http://www.soyouwanna.com/diet-carotid-artery-disease-5509.html#ixzz2CTNLlc00