A General Call For Help; Lowering My Cholesterol

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CassMom928428
CassMom928428 Posts: 6 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hi! I'm a 32 yr old stay at home mom. My Dr tells me I have high cholesterol (what?!) I will admit that I was a little taken aback, as I'm fairly petite at 115 lbs... (ok 118). After much googling I realized just how ignorant I was about high cholesterol.
I have to cook meals for a family of 7, I don't have time or the money to make separate meals for myself. Anyone have any tricks up their sleeve that I can lower my cholesterol without re-enacting "Mutiny on the Bounty" in my house?
Also I love to eat out with my hubby for lunch while the kids are at school, what do you order that won't make MFP blow up?
I joke but this was a little scary for me, heart disease is a big thing in my family. I want to make changes now so I'm around to harass my kids for a long long time.

Replies

  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
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    Don't eat trans fats. Do a quick google search of what types of foods contain trans fats, and don't eat those, even if the label says 0g trans fat, the FDA doesn't require them to report trans fats if there's less than 0.5g. so a lot of those foods have some in them even when they say 0 on the label.

    Eat plenty of good fats, especially omega 3. I would suggest supplementing with omega 3 every day.
  • leahraskie
    leahraskie Posts: 260 Member
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    It's very possible that you have familial hypercholesterolemia, I don't think it's particularly uncommon, and it can contribute to heart disease. That being said, you can't control that with diet and statins should be used.... Diet and exercise can increase HDL and decrease LDL levels, mostly decrease LDL. Fatty acids like omega 3 an 6 can increase HDL levels.
  • ElizabethKalmbach
    ElizabethKalmbach Posts: 1,416 Member
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    To translate the poster above me a bit, flax oil and fish oil supplements (or whole food) contain omega 3 fatty acids, and can be taken to help balance HDL and LDL cholesterol levels.

    Additionally, there is some scientific research out there demonstrating that reduction of sugar intake can help improve cholesterol levels.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
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    This might help

    http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_300460.pdf
  • NateMcG76
    NateMcG76 Posts: 44 Member
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    It's your life. Take the reins and cause a mutiny. No point in heading off a mutiny if it means you won't be around for the 7 people you didn't want upset over the meal options.
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,020 Member
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    The foods you consume aren't really going to lower your cholesterol and HDL should be high so it's a little more complicated. Maybe see a cardiologist for a second opinion.
  • B01JHen
    B01JHen Posts: 13 Member
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    One thing to do is make sure you get enough fiber in your food every day. This helps a lot! Good luck and watch the saturated fats, too.
  • CassMom928428
    CassMom928428 Posts: 6 Member
    edited April 2015
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    All really amazing suggestions, thanks everyone :smile:
  • tshuk00
    tshuk00 Posts: 17 Member
    edited April 2015
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    Talking to your doctor and a nutritionist is going to be your best bet. Dietary cholesterol has little to do with your blood levels.
  • eat_hike_b33r
    eat_hike_b33r Posts: 82 Member
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    For sure talk to a specialist but you can also try to increase fiber intake, increase plant sterols, and if you drink a lot of unfiltered coffee you could try cutting that out also as this may increase cholesterol (cafestol). Good luck:)

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