We’ve come to the end of this series of posts focussing on the importance of low cholesterol and your health; so I thought I’d finish the series with a recap of the monthly posts, discuss the importance of maintaining low cholesterol and share how I’m going to continue to work on it.
At the beginning of the series I realised that it was time to take my health more seriously and paid a much-overdue visit to my doctor requesting an overall check-up. While my BP remained high and I’m obviously still very overweight – most of my other blood test results were fine; however my cholesterol levels were a teensy bit high.
I quickly learnt that high cholesterol, combined with my high BP and weight issues put me at risk of a heart attack so I decided to do something about it.
Firstly I took control of my health (for a change) by learning a bit more about how to reduce my cholesterol levels. This led me to examine factors contributing to high cholesterol, including the levels of cholesterol in foods.
I was particularly interested to discover that I’d probably just equated high fat with high cholesterol in the past without knowing much more. Fortunately although I indulge in a few of the worst contenders (ie. fast food), my biggest issue was my consumption of eggs – my go-to healthy food. I confessed it wasn’t unusual to have an egg for brekkie every day (which I do) AND an egg (or two) scrambled for lunch. And even sometimes an egg custard for dessert! The general consensus seems to be that six eggs a week is okay – so one of my priorities then was to revisit my breakfast options and I called out to my readers for suggestions.
I was also happy to discover that there are foods (with added plant sterols) which actively lower cholesterol – like Dairy Farmers’ own HeartActive.
So, armed with all of this knowledge I thought I’d wrap this series by sharing MY plan to maintain or (if possible) lower my current cholesterol levels:
1. Continue working towards a healthier weight and exercising regularly (the biggie!)
2. Purposely choosing low cholesterol foods where possible (fish, legumes and so forth)
3. Mixing up my breakfasts a bit more. Not seeing eggs as ‘the healthiest thing I could possibly eat’
4. Opting for foods fortified by plant sterols – such as milk and margarine/butter. (I mean, if there’s an option to actively lower my cholesterol just by switching products… then I’m in! And this is something I’ve already started).
Of course, some are easier than others, but I like to think that some of the small changes I’ve already made will help prevent adding ‘high cholesterol’ to the things I need to address in the future.
Do you find making small changes less overwhelming than big ones? Or are you a ‘rip-that-bandaid-off-quickly’ kind of person?
Has this series of posts helped you learn more about cholesterol or heart health?
September 24, 2013
I find that implementing small changes is more manageable for me. My husbands cholesterol is a bit high, so keeping an eye on these things is a priority in our house, as he is 45. My (skinny) father had a heart attack at age 38!
September 24, 2013
Oh 38 is young for a heart attack! I guess you and your husband both have to be careful! Thanks for dropping by!
Deb
September 24, 2013
Why is it that all the good stuff in life has to be taken with a dose of moderation? Like eggs. And chocolate. And coffee. In my perfect world all the junk food would be stuff that I hate and the stuff I’d like to eat more of would be healthy for you in unlimited amounts.
September 24, 2013
Oh absolutely! Why can’t green leafy veges be unhealthy?!
September 24, 2013
I’m so with you on the small changes. Too many people think they have to change everything at once, get overwhelmed and end up doing nothing at all. Small steps add up. 🙂
September 24, 2013
There are some times when cold turkey is my only option… but otherwise, I’m all about the small steps. FAR less overwhelming!
September 24, 2013
You so totally have a handle on this- an amazingly written post and definitely coming back for hints and tips. Well done on balancing your lifestyle it’s FANTASTIC
September 24, 2013
Hi Rach and thanks for your comment. Balance is exactly what I’m working towards! 😉
Deb
September 24, 2013
I’m a rip off band-aid girl but I know life isn’t that simple. I also know that my dad has been UBER careful with food since his 5-way heart bypass some 18 years ago and after his re-stent he still has a clot in his heart. I think we can do all we can in regards to food and choices but sometimes things are out of our control – but it can’t hurt to try right?
September 24, 2013
Exactly! I know there are some things beyond our control, but I like to think I try to address the things I can. (My weight of course is an entirely other matter… and my kryptonite. Or something!)
Deb
September 24, 2013
I too find that little changes build into making a big difference, high bp and heart attack risk is so scary.
September 24, 2013
Hi Bek and thanks for dropping by! I’m actually working on some other small changes – which I’m hoping to write about soon (nothing huge, just tiny initiatives that – to others are no big deal – but to me are important!)
PS. Cos I’m an oversharer I have to tell…. – one of them is as simple as mixing my dinners up a bit. I’ve been having the same things a lot lately (2-3 different things every night). And – quite frankly those comfort foods – steak, potato in some form and pepper sauce (and minimal veges) isn’t the best thing I could be eating; so I’m doing my own little challenge to have something different for dinner. (Initially every night for one week. Tonight was night five!)
Deb
Deb
September 25, 2013
I’m usually a rip the band-aid off girl, except when it comes to food. Food I have to do gradual.
MC x
#teamIBOT
September 26, 2013
Yes… I’m a bit the same it seems!
Deb
September 29, 2013
You’ve done such a great consistent job of making thee changes.
I’m a bit of an egg fiend at the moment, so this was a good reminder for me to ease up a bit
September 30, 2013
Yep… me too!