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Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
Breleigh & Mason
Help make DH healthier, PLEASE?!
He just got his bloodwork back, and his cholesterol is way too high for someone his age (he's 27). His dad passed away VERY suddenly last year at 47, so I thought news of his bloodwork would be enough, but it's not. He is SO picky, and only likes to eat red meat, cheese, and anything that resembles pizza or burritos.
So this is my question: Can you give me ideas on foods that will help lower his cholesterol? Or recipes that resemble what he already likes to eat, but just healthier? They said in 3 months, if it's not better, they're going to put him on meds. I want to see if we can do this without it. I'm willing to try anything. Googling just gives me stuff I could NEVER get him to eat, and I'm tired of searching and getting nowhere. I'd reall appreciate the help...thanks ladies!
Breleigh & Mason
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Re: Help make DH healthier, PLEASE?!
he needs to embrace change. suck it up and eat healthy for himself and for his family.
i guess veggie pizza and veggie burritos are a start. but he should be eating a diet guided by what his dr says. did they give you any information? off the top of my head i can only think of oatmeal as cholesterol lowering food...
My DH is the same way his chol is pretty high for 33 doc wanted him to go on meds he refused said he would exercised and take fish oil that is supposed to help.. Does he do either no, fish oil once in awhile if i get on his case.. So i'am no help, guys are just hard headed and think they are invinsible..!! GL to you!!
Agree w/ PP that he needs to suck it up for the most part. He is 27 not 7. He needs to broaden his horizons and expand his palette. I am guessing he doesn't cook, but learning to cook usually prompts people to try new things. (It is suggested for picky children, so I've read.) Also, Farmers' markets and things like that are fun and a nice way to shop for food that maybe he would enjoy?
As far as I know, fat intake needs to be lowered to help w/ cholesterol, so obviously red meat and cheese is not the best! More vegs for sure, as well as more fruit instead of sweets, and whole grains will help. I would try fish (salmon, swordfish, cod, tuna) and chicken instead of so much beef. There are also some good chicken and turkey sausage out there. We eat them sauteed w/ peppers and onions. Maybe he could try watching some Food Network shows. They usually can make anything look good! Elie Kreiger is all about healthy options.
I had a similar issue with my DH. He is 30 now but has been diagnosed with high blood pressure since age 24. Sucks. He was the same...pizza, burritos, tacos, and steak. I begged him to eat healthy but he really just wouldn't.
So, I started tricking him (YES! like a child!) by sneaking in some healthy options. I started using reduced fat cheese (not fat free because its gross and you still do need fat) and doing flap steak instead of the thick stuff. Also, pork loin is very lean and all you do is find a marinade that he will like and bake. My DH hated veggies...couldn't get him to eat any...then he discovered grilled veggies. I make chicken fajitas with red bell pepper and onions and he LOVES it! And if you grill stuff you usually don't need to add any oils so that reduces the fat too. Also I do the frozen broccoli with cheese in it. It's not the best but it help "mask" the veggie taste.
Basically, my advice is to start with small tweaks. Eventually, you will get him to be more experimental. My hubby now eats veggie burgers, soy-rizo, and egg white omelets but it took him a few years to get to this point. So just be persistant and start slow.
Oatmeal, flax seed and almonds can help to lower cholesterol. Grind up flaxseed and put it in cereal, smoothies, etc. I like to put slivered almonds on salads, or in casseroles.
Sneaky Chef has a new book about tricking your husband into eating healthy.
With my husband (high cholesterol + diabetes), I take things he likes and modify it so he can still have them. I cut hamburger with beans. This would work well with burritos and tacos for you. I cut pasta with vegetables. Make deep dish pizza, fill with low-fat chicken sausage (ground chicken and spices...not the expensive gourmet stuff which is fattier than you think), put a layer of low-fat ricotta and finish with just a little part-skim mozzarella.
This! He is a grown up and needs to act responsibly; he has a family to be there for. If you are the cook, swap ground turkey in for the beef. Add shredded veggies to burritos. Make black bean nachos instead of beef-topped chips. Make pancakes by combining oatmeal + egg white (sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon, too) in a blender and cooking on the griddle as normal. Make your own pizza using Bob's Red Mill gluten-free crust mix, marinara sauce with a shredded zucchini, and low-fat mozzarella and veggies. Grab a copy of the Eat-Clean Diet for Men and get some inspiration there.
Most of all, don't baby him. Who cares if he only likes beef and pizza? You like having him around and that trumps childish food preferences any day.
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