In 1999 I was 117 kgs. and developed a breathing problem, Doc sent me to the heart specialist at PA. Sure enough, blocked artery. Doc gave the run down on how the treatment worked, then said he wouldn't do it unless I gave up cigarettes and lost weight. He reckoned he was wasting his small budget on people who didn't care so he was focusing his efforts on those who did. Valid argument.
So I lost 20 kgs and never had another smoke from that day to this.
Also, type 2 diabeties detected. (That kicked the daylights right out of me!)
2006 second stent fitted. Doc said I was a good tryer because he had expected to have to it 12 months after the first. Diabeties stable, weight stable.
2011. Home from Perth feeling a bit 2nd hand. Off to the Doc. Ergo, 10 days later I was in recovery from a quad bypass. Thankfully successful. They said I'd be in recovery for about 3 months. That was a bit out. It was 14 months, with ankle pains and fluid retention problems. And I'm back to 98 kgs.
All my research on health on the above, and I've done some, and how to live with it all taught me this.
Stay away from processed white sugar. Stay away from anything with a carbohydrate level in double digits. White flour bread is the worst. Go grain bread (carb level below 10.)
Spuds (potatoes) are out in any form. Use sweet potato. (you'll get used to it)
Tropical fruits are mostly out. Natural sugar levels are way too high. AND Mr Banana is off the menu. Everything wrong with 'em for any diabetic, and they lay on the fat. (that one really hurt)
Weetbix is a staple breakfast food for us types, (add some seeds & nuts AND get into Sinnamon - it is very good for diabetes control). UN-toasted muesli is OK. Toasted is out. Read the labels and you'll see why.
Don't stress on weight loss. Stress actually seems to acascerbate all the problems.
And the latest for the last. Sweeteners. If you're using a sweetener that has Aspartane in it - give it away now. The latest confirmed scientific tests shows that aspartane actually turns off the recepters in the brain that tells the body "I have eaten sufficient food. Stop consuming."
So if you've switched to Equals (with Aspartane) you're doing yourself no favours. Same with anything with Fructose.
Quick story - Aspartane is manufactured by Monsanto Inc. The U.S. FDA (Food & Drug Administration) wouldn't permit Aspatane to be used in food for human consumption.
George Bushes No 1 guy in the Gulf War was one Donald Rumsfeld. When he left the job he became the CEO of Monsanto. From Monsanto he became the head of the US Food & Drug Administration, and lo and behold six months later Aspartane was released for human consumption.
The medical fraternity in the US, and Aust. blame the move on the increase 80% fold in child obesity, and a dozen other associated problems, over the past few years.
So you are better to have the occasional straight Coke or Pepsi, even as a type 2 diabetic, than 3 or 4 Diet, Max, or Zero Cola's, because the Aspartane won't let your thirst be quenched, so you want more. etc and guess what? - you get fatter because you are consuming everything in levels above that which your body needs, or can cope with.
Me think it all bluddy 'mazing. (But it's true!)
So that's my input to the discussion. Hope didn't bore you and I hope some of you benefit from it.
Anybody wants to discuss it all some more or share more, please feel free to call me on 0418874771, or email me rex.wilkie@gmail.com (my profile details)
