Monday, March 28, 2011

Things have changed

It is hard not to notice how much things have changed around here since C.'s heart attack.  The salt that used to sit on the counter in a large jar is no longer there.  She used to throw a bit of that into every dish she made for herself.  I have not salted anything in decades on purpose.  We would have discussions over how much salt was already in food and that having extra was harmful.  At any rate, the salt has been put away in a cupboard. Mrs. Dash in different forms now is the seasoning of choice.  Sodium content on everything is monitored closely which means less processed food. 

The regular pasta has been replaced with whole wheat pasta.  All the bread is also grain and not white.  The cereal is full of fiber.  Some of it tastes like wood, but we eat it and smile at each other knowing how crappy the heart smart woody cereal tastes. Yet, it is good for us.  Lots of things are crappy that are good for us.  We know that the Food Network isn't for those who care about heart health.

Sugar is minimal and mostly substitutes are used like Splenda.  There are no more cakes being made.  Instead, there is jello and all different kinds of fruit.  The brownies and other cookies that C. would make for meetings are on hold.

Eggs are no longer used but egg white is now the choice.  All the meats are turkey or chicken with lots more fish added to the diet.  Any meat product is low sodium now.  Red meat isn't to be found in the freezer or the refrigerator which is fine with me.  I had given that up a long time ago.

We are mindful of everything that we eat.  And eating out at restaurants hasn't happened in a while.  We used to love Chinese food but that isn't happening lately unless we make it ourselves.  It feels as if food is the enemy now.  The pleasure that we used to have in cooking and eating out has diminished.  It's okay as we will likely have a more balanced approach once C. goes to cardiac rehab.  We will learn more about what heart healthy foods are good to eat and what absolutely needs to be avoided.

I am still longing for a large piece of pizza which I will have to grab on the sly.  Somehow the idea of it is better than the thought of actually eating it.  I seem to have visions of plaque buildup from the cheese as it sticks to my arteries.  For now,  I will think about Laughing Cow Light cheese and be satisfied with some of that spread on a piece of flat bread.  My how things have changed.   

17 comments:

  1. There is a wealth of resources and books that deal with re-establishing the sacredness of food. Some are written for people with food addiction, some are Ayurvedic or Traditional Chinese Medicine based. Food is yet one more opportunity for us to connect to our Higher Power.

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  2. i know it means a lot to her that you support her in this...and it will be healthy for you as well...and an occassional pizza for you is not a bad thing either...smiles.

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  3. great. love hearing about the solution. and its an education as i know this stuff but hearing u talk about it like this makes it really sink in. It made me think about how much salt is in my diet. bread is full of salt and i love bread :)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG_tn3KAXNE
    Foods That Kill - Part 1 of 6

    I watched this a while back and it totally put me off animal fats, but I have forgotten about it and eat some animal fats. ur post has made me want to watch it again and re familiarize myself with how !!! unhealthy some of those government sponsored or corporate sponsored foods are.. ewww

    but yeh. impressive re organizing of the food :) well done you two :)

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  4. I haven't used any salt for two decades because like you said..enough in everything already.

    But the cereal...I just buy straight bran cereal from Krogers and a can of raisins. It may or may not be best but I know it comes out easy and tastes pretty good.

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  5. Godd for y'all.
    I've made many of those food changes, except I always eat out at restaurants.

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  6. I feel for both of you! When I sobered up I had to let go of many old habits and acquire new ones as regards lifestyle. Some habits take longer to acquire than others.

    I have found that using a little more lemon or lime juice compensates for no salt. I also use a tiny dash of sesame oil for flavour and no other fats. I steam fish or vegetables with chopped scallions and some freshly grated ginger which adds to flavour.

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  7. I think scientists should be working on something that alters ones taste buds. A pill that makes all foods that are good for you taste DEVINE!! Gravey and Red Velvet cake would taste like wood ceral.

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  8. You will learn to embrace the foods that are good for you. I promise! And they will not be your enemy. They will be your tasty, trusted friends. Okay, except for the woody cereal. Try oatmeal with fruit in it instead.

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  9. Poor you. I couldn't live without cheese pizza.

    It is a pretty restrictive diet, but my uncle stuck to it closely, and they told him (after triple bypass), that he might live another 10-20 years (this was about 1983), and he is now in his 80s. I hope C. has a story like his.

    Love you, buddy.

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  10. My husband and I are eating healthier now since I have Hypertension but it is steep learning curve at times. We had a lovely weight watchers dinner last night with our son. I find I am working with some interesting feelings and behaviors surronding eating and food. It helps to have the program.

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  11. I know the feeling of things changing, it's going on right now for me :)

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  12. Ugh. Oh Syd. I am sorry.

    I need to make many of these changes....the salt will be the hardest for me. I mix bran flakes into my lowfat yogurt in the morning.

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  13. In my early 20's, when I switched from the unhealthy foods I once ate, to only natural, non-processed food, with no added sugar or salt, I found many things seemed tasteless. After a while, if I tried a bite of the food I used to eat, it tasted obscenely oversalted, oversugared, and chemical-laden.
    It just takes a while to shift your taste buds, and then even the woody cereal will begin to have its own flavour.
    My husband and I both have what my doctor described as "magnificent" cholesterol levels. Eating well is another thing that "works if you work it."

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  14. Some changes are necessary for one's helth.I'm glad that you and C are doing so.

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  15. Try pasta made from Corn--Comes in all shapes...Very toothsome, a little pale yellow & gluten free.. Tastes better to me than whole wheat.. Use juice from fresh citrus for more taste in making things.

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  16. Good for you and good for C. You will learn to love eating this way. I'm sure.

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  17. I spice salads up with onion and basil. If the doctor okays spices, that might be something to look into for flavor. The other day I got a sugar-free soymilk by mistake and put it in my healthy cereal. I was grossed out at the first bite. I was like - oh God I've got to add maple syrup. Then I realized the flavor I tasted in the cereal WAS maple. Now I eat it 5 mornings a week.

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