I had a "mild" heart attack 3 weeks ago and the doc insists I change my diet?

Question

He wants to change from high fat, high sodium very tasty foods to a card board tasting "heart healthy" diet. Most of the food I cook at home tastes better than McDonalds anyway, so why should change to cardboard?

Answer 1

short answer to your question: because you want to live!

There are lots of tasty foods that aren't high sodium, high fat.
Another good solution is to eat LESS. That means eating more complex carbs and fibre, to give you plenty of energy and make you feel less hungry. That should also increase your metabolism, so you burn more calories.
Myself, I'm a vegetarian, and I know exactly what you mean by cardboard. Half the time people try to make vegetarian food for me, they don't know what they're doing and make me whole-wheat pasta with nothing on it, plain salad, and dried bean-paste (or something). I eat as little as possible without offending anyone.
If you want to save your heart AND your palette, you need to change the way you're looking at food.
Did you know that much of the world's fine cuisine is heart healthy? Avoid the obvious like fried foods, fatty meats, and heavily processed foods, and take a look at what's left. If you have an open mind you'll probably be surprised how much tasty stuff is out there.

Answer 2

Your doctor wants wants you to make these changes so you won't be dependant on medications. I assume your doctor has take blood test and checked levels of cholestol, blood sugar and etc. And from that and your mild heart attack he or she has given you meds to take on a regular. If you adjust the foods you eat the negative levels will go down. Your doc will feel comfortable with adjusting your meds to smaller doses. To some people with little to no insurance this is a big deal, finacially.

But I understand the food thing. I had a heart attack myself a few years back. But I have found the best way for me to get my doc off my back about my unhealthly levels is to loose weight. I'm not sure of your weight and height but I know when I lost 25 pounds this summer, my negative numbers went way down. Most importantly I went from a borderline diabetic to showing no signs at all. With a healthly blood sugar level.

So ask your doctor to hook you up with a nutrionist. Or for that matter someone to train you about a diabetic diet. Even if your not a diabetic. Some of the food ain't that bad. And ask your doctor if he just wants you to lose weight. It can open your eyes and change the conversation between you and your doctor.

And good luck with your heart.

Answer 3

Well, if you want to live to see next Christmas, you should probably change your diet. lol.

Seriously though, you don't have to give up the things you like per se. Modify them. Stop frying your foods. Stop eating so much of it. If you really need to eat beef and pork, buy lean cuts of it. If you can stand to steer clear of those two, do and start eating more lean things like chicken and turkey and fish. All three of those can be cooked in a variety of delicious ways! And on top of fixing your meats in creative low-fat ways (like grilling, baking, broiling, etc.) you can add some great veggies as side dishes to top off the meal.

Try to get away from the salt. Mrs. Dash makes great salt-alternatives. Fresh garlic is a wonderful way to season your food...and on top of that, it's naturally a blood pressure reducer. Pepper, chili powder, cumin, basil, parsely and cilantro are all good choices that will give your food a different flair w/o the salt.

In situations like yours, the food itself is rarely the culprit. It's usually the amount being consumed and the way its being prepared.
Good luck!

Answer 4

Sometimes doctors who insist that you change your diet are just pulling at straws. You are capable of researching what foods are healthy and what are'nt and go with that. you will be able to improve your health. Here is an example. your doc would probably insist that you avoid coconut oil since it is a saturated fat. Yet, this saturated fat protects your heart improves cholesterol, diabetes and thyroid function. Do your research so that you can hang on to good tasting food while you improve your health.

Answer 5

You know last week I had an episode of an comfortablenesses in my chest like a lot of pressure and felt nauseated and dizzy. My strength dropped to nothing and I felt like it was time to go to the hospital. After a couple of days of feeling that way I decided that a strict salad and fruit diet was just tasty.

I am not even more motivated now that Jackie (Airplanegirl) has had an issue with it.

Answer 6

Your question, seems to me to be a bit ridiculous and somewhat inflammatory! There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to change your diet if you want to start a countdown to your next heart attack!!
You are blessed to be one of the 2/3 who survived a first heart attack. 1/3 do NOT!

I read the tag line for your profile and suggest that you practice what you preach and persue education rather than ingnorance and stupidity.
Educate yourself to the value of a truly healthy diet and just how wonderful wholesome, foods in their natural state can be for you...and how good they can taste!

Life is about choices...and you are certainly free to make yours. I have a full life with 10 terrific kids and seven grandkids, and a wonderful husband...and if I had to eat REAL cardboard to ensure many more years of joyful living with them....I would gladly do it! For more of my story and journey to recovery and a helathy lifestyle, please visit www.mysite.verizon.net/vzeoflps.

Answer 7

Your other question stated that you just had open heart surgery... So a mild heart attack with open heart surgery??? Well if you want to die quicker then keep eating food that is bad for you.. It is your choice afterall....