[cape chef]

Recently I celabrated my 40th, With that came the BIG pysical. Well my colestriol came back really high.I have been cooking for twenty+ years in good shape and not overwait. (well maybe a little). I am a lover of cheeses,nuts and a great rack of lamb! well quess what,not good!!I'm turning into a rabbit, I can talk to almost anybody about what is right to do in a diet, But now I find myself the reciepient. Has anyone had the same expereinces? Being a chef and now needing to totally change your diet to be more aware of fat intake et. Any advice would be much appreciated
Thanks
Brad

Oh, condolences. Remember that capon we were discussing earlier? White meat, no skin!

Seriously, olive oil where ever you can use it. When you need to saute something in butter, try going half-and-half with olive oil. Make sure that when you put it in the pan it's really hot so that it goes a little further. Peanut oil is another alternative, although it does have a less neutral taste than o.o. Broil stuff. Go for intense flavors (garlic is one of my favorite food groups). Go for fish - who can complain about grilled salmon? Increase your fruit and veg intake, and save the butter for when the flavor of it is critical. I don't know how you cook when you're at home, but I'm sure that you have a terrific imagination for food.

I am a touch older than you are, Brad, with a genetic background that Lipitor was created for. When I first found out that I had elevated cholesterol levels, we tried to control it by diet; the upside was that I lost about 70 lbs. The downside was that my cholesterol plummeted from 287 all the way down to about 254. For some people it really is a genetic predisposition and isn't controllable by diet.

Good luck!
Marye

[Mezzaluna]

What was the ratio of you HDL to LDL? It's important to know that, as it's being regarded now as even more important than the total number. For example, mine is 216 (borderline high). When I was on a low fat (10% of calories) diet, it went down only to 199. But I recently cut back on carbs, and the ratio of the two has changed dramatically. My "good" cholesterol is so much higher, and the bad so much lower, that my dr. is delighted. My triglycerides are also very much better, in ideal territory. My physician brother went on Atkins and his total dropped from the 230s to 170. Not everyone responds this way to a higher protein, lower carb diet, but maybe you would. Give it 8 weeks and see. My husband's triglycerides also fell from a dangerous level down to normal when he cut back on cookies, bread, popcorn, and starchy veggies. I don't do Atkins, but I do restrict carbs to dinner only, and then, non-processed carb foods balanced with plenty of veggies and lean meat (or not lean- whatever I feel like).

[This message has been edited by Mezzaluna (edited 10-26-2000).]

[cape chef]

I want to thank you both for your thoughtful insights. I have some work to do, and get some tangibe answers.this is again another challenge. I also love bread, Grew up with my grandfathers jewish cornbread and bialies.All the things I love I need to eat in moderation (I hate that word)again thank you.

[cape chef]

I want to thank you both for your thoughtful insights. I have some work to do, and get some tangibe answers.this is again another challenge. I also love bread, Grew up with my grandfathers jewish cornbread and bialies.All the things I love I need to eat in moderation (I hate that word)again thank you.

[m brown]

I am so there!!!
High cholesteral but the ratio is 5 good to 1 bad. the Dr does not care, he just wants the number lower. Did Atkins and dropped 25 #, then got pregnant. Back to kicking the carbs, but being a pastry chef, it is really tough.
Blood test next week, we'll see what happens.


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bake first, ask questions later

[momoreg]

About 12 years ago, I had a high cholesterol reading, and I was a strict vegetarian (no dairy, eggs, fish, red meat). Go figure. I was in my early 20s, daily exercise, normal weight.

I now eat butter, poultry, eggs, etc. I still have the same weight and lifestyle, and guess what...the cholesterol is fine.

[Isa]

High cholesterol like other medical problems can be hereditary. Some people with endocrine problems are also prone to have higher cholesterol level. If you eat a good and balance diet you shouldn't be overly worried. Your doctor should be able to advise you on what the best course of action is.


Sisi

[cape chef]

Thank you all for your insights.
Brad