Cholesterol issues mostly and the fact my weight has started creeping up over the last year.
Cholesterol issues mostly and the fact my weight has started creeping up over the last year.
In that case he’s probably talking about a “Mediterranean” diet that is high in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains (whole grain breads in moderation), legumes (think peas, beans, lentils, chick peas), and nuts (unsalted and roasted or raw almonds for example), olive oil and fish and chicken, and rather low in red meats and any animal fats including eggs, butter and cheeses and even yogurts unless low fat versions. Sorry. Lasagna is not part of a “Mediterranean” diet.
I can’t give you any advice on any particular cookbook but any that follow that basic outline would be good.
But keep in mind that cholesterol levels have a heredity component.
I eat lots of cheese and use butter, probably way too much butter, I love butter, and I eat eggs several times a week, I do eat more chicken and not so much red meats but when I do, I eat the most marbled (i.e. fatty) steaks or roasts I can find, but at my last physical 6 months ago, as has been the case for many years now, my overall cholesterol level (the combination of good and bad) was excellent for someone 55 years old, actually below the norm. Meanwhile my best friend who is my same age eats very little of those, and eats a mostly Mediterranean diet and is nearly a vegan, her cholesterol levels are through the roof.
But back in the early 2000’s I decided, after being tired of being overweight for many years and feeling tired and sick all the time, make some changes to my eating habits. I got into eating healthier foods, lots of fresh veggies, fresh fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, few if any processed foods, etc. But I didn’t think of it as a “diet” but just how I was going to eat. I also got into cooking at home and using herbs and spices and experimenting with various world cuisines prepared healthy, to make meals more interesting.
I also had to force myself to eat three meals a day and incorporate healthy snacks. Starvation diets, fad diets, fasting diets, purges,cleanses,are not at all healthy and should be avoided.
But I also didn’t deprive myself of occasional treats as long as I balanced them out by what I called the “two day rule”. If I wanted to have a slice of pizza for lunch or a slice of cake at a birthday party, I had to give up that day and or within the next day an approximate amount (sort of like the Weight Watchers’ Exchange equivalents) of carbs and fats and fruits. Surprisingly after a time I found that I’d rather forgo the pizza or birthday cake if it meant giving up fruit or eating a salad with no dressing what so ever, or giving up my morning cereal.
My advice is to think of eating healthier and not as a “diet”.
Also you need to move. Dietary changes can improve your health but without exercising, even light to moderate exercise like walking a couple of times a week for 20-30 minutes, a dietary change alone will not have all that great of an effect.
BTW I lost 70 pounds and have kept if off doing this.
As long as your doc is EDUCATED about “cholesterol” I’d listen....if they aren’t...well....many docs just look at total cholesterol, not the HDL, LDL, VLDL, small/large particle, issues, etc. TOTAL Cholesterol means NOTHING.
That said, as other posters have stated, there are many new ideas in nutrition, ie, intermittent fasting, eating only grassfed meat and dairy, etc. And, of course, carbs. I believe many of us really shouldn’t eat many carbs, including fruit. Everyone IS different. I lost about 20lbs about 3 years ago...and now I eat LOTS of GOOD FAT, ie. organic/grassfed butter, but have to avoid dairy for other reasons. I find if I get enough fat, I’m not that hungry and on the hunt for carbs. Good Luck. Check out Dr. Mercola’s website for lots of good info.