Looking for some new low carb foods to try!

NYPhotographer2021

I've been on a keto/lc diet since the end of August. I've lost 38 pounds since then, and have successfully lowered my A1c from 7.2 in Oct to 5.3 today. I no longer have to be on Metformin, nor Levothyroxine. However...while that is great, my cholesterol is now high. I ate a lot of eggs and used butter in a lot of my cooking. My carbs were below 20 grams most days, but usually never above 50 grams/day.

My doctor is putting me on a low dose statin, but said if I can lower my cholesterol by June, he'd take me off of it too. I am willing to up my carb count, but do not wish to go over 100 grams/day if possible. Being a Type 2 diabetic, I still want my carbs to be low.
But I did what I had set out to do and that was lower my blood sugar. Now, I need to concentrate on the rest.

So any advice, please! Thanks in advance!

VegjoyP

Nuts, seeds, avocado- higher fat plant foods have no cholesterol. Eat more greens and cruciferous. Try kale chips, Air fried cauliflower etc

NYPhotographer2021

Thanks! I do eat most of that already but as snacks, not full meals. I will keep looking.

AnnPT77

Maybe just varying from butter to some MUFA/PUFA oils (avocado, walnut or macadamia, olive . . .) might help?

How's your fiber? As a moderate-to-high carb vegetarian, it's not a thing I need to focus on, but it is related to some extent to cholesterol levels. Some of my LC friends here use psyllium as a supplement, for example.

Are you exercising? Exercise, too, can affect serum cholesterol levels for some people.

I know it's normal to go high fat with LC, but how comfortable would you be with increasing protein and decreasing fat somewhat? (I don't know whether that would change appetite-management aspects for you, since satiation seems to be quite individualized.)

As an alternative, you could look at turning down the fat content of your eating that's saturated fats from meats, and look for either sources like fattier cold-water fish (tend to be higher in beneficial Omega-3 fats), or choose lower-fat protein sources and increase fats via things like nuts, avocados, seeds, or the kinds of oils mentioned above. If any of that appeals to you, and in case you haven't seen it, this thread could be useful:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10247171/carbs-and-fats-are-cheap-heres-a-guide-to-getting-your-proteins-worth-fiber-also

If you looked for sources in that, that are calorie-efficient protein sources, they're going to tend to have fewer carbs/fats by definition. Even as you move down the list in the spreadsheet linked in that thread, you can consider the carbs/fat types of each source individually, maybe find some that you enjoy eating that would fit into your eating happily, not have quite as much saturated fat.

Just a few thoughts.

P.S. I had high cholesterol and triglycerides when I was obese to upper overweight. The levels dropped pretty rapidly with weight loss, and since reaching a healthy weight, they've stayed good. I was already active, already eating lots of plants as a vegetarian. I don't know of any family history that suggests hereditary hypercholesterolemia for me. Because my blood sugar levels were always in the normal range, I admit to zero experience with balancing blood sugar issues and cholesterol issues at the same time. I do still technically have high-average total cholesterol much of the time, but only because my HDL ("good cholesterol") levels are quite high - LDL is low; my doctor thinks this is just fine, and what I've read confirms that. My cholesterol ratio metric is right where I'd like it to be.)

NYPhotographer2021

Thank you @AnnPT77 ! I will take a look at that link! I make a protein shake with almond milk and include that trilogy of Flax/Hemp/Chia. I will look for psyllium to add as well. Thanks for the suggestion! Also, I do eat a lot of nuts and avocado. I love avocado! So I will look for that oil as well and try to lay off the butter. And I take an Omega 3 supplement. I know it's not the same as eating fish, but I tend to gag at the smell of fish, never mind trying to eat it. Although, I do want to try salmon at least once. But I hate to buy it, go thru the motions of cooking it to taste good, and then hating it. My son's ex gf said she'd make me some that I would love, but then they broke up, so not sure if the offer still stands! LOL!

And no to the exercise. I keep saying I'm going to start, but as of now, I haven't. Just some stretching in the mornings for my hips and back. I still remember a few years ago when I started walking at lunchtime, and ended up in the hospital because of my back. I wasn't myself for a long time after that. Doctor told me that I had a ruptured lower disc in my back. The walking inflamed the area. Didn't even know I had a back issue! So I have that in the back of my mind now and still am a bit afraid of doing anything that lands me back in the hospital. Especially now! And bicycling is out because of my knees. I'm just a mess! But I've reversed diabetes so that's a plus! Now just gotta look out for my heart! Thanks again Ann! It sure sucks getting old! If it's not one thing, it's another! But then I look at you and know I can do it! Just have to be smart about it!

ReenieHJ

Haven't seen it mentioned yet about the eggs but have you tried using just the whites for some of the eggs? Ex. I'll have an omelet a few times a week and always make it using 1 whole egg plus 2 egg whites. Course there's always fake eggs, which I've never tried but know my mom used. I'm sure they're much improved since those days. And what about milk? My 50+ yo niece's cholesterol is rising and she's trying to avoid meds. so is doing it through food and exercise. She buys milk that is either low or zero cholesterol.
Sorry, that's all I got.

cmriverside

Are you a member of the Low Carb Daily Forum here on MFP? It's in "Groups." Here's the link:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum


Here's the compilation of useful threads in the Group, including some meal ideas, restaurant ideas, foods, etc.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10423197/open-threads-member-threads-on-low-carb-topics#latest

NYPhotographer2021

@ReenieHJ That's a great idea for eggs! Although I hate to throw away the yolk but if it helps lower my cholesterol, it's a choice that makes sense! And can't drink milk. Causes me to break out, even in my 50's, and makes my sinuses feel puffy. But I do drink unsweetened almond milk.
@cmriverside I am a member of that group and check in every day. I usually don't check out the links they have because I just never have time and there is just so much info. But I will check out that link! Thanks!