Sunday, April 30, 2006

We're doing fine

Cliff is doing amazingly well.  Yesterday he went outside four or five times, and strolled the yard, driveway and shop, although he is determined not to over-exert himself.  He has a good appetite.  His sister Charlene and her husband came and visited with him while Rachel and I did our grocery-shopping.

In researching some of our favorite foods, we've had a few shocks.  One big disappointment for Cliff was learning the amount of sodium in 1 tablespoon of ketchup:  190 milligrams!  That's about 10% of his daily allowance, and he never stopped at 1 tablespoon in his life.  I've seen him douse a burger with ketchup, then dip it in a pool of the red stuff on his plate before every subsequent bite.  Rachel and I found both Hunts and Heinz in a no-salt version; it isn't cheap, but at least it exists.

Another big shocker for me, personally, was the sodium content in all Subway sandwiches.  We'd been patronizing Subway at least once a week since we started our diets in December, but no more.  Most of their subs have almost the whole daily allowance for sodium... and that's for the six-inch! 

We've been advised by the dietician to follow the Mediterranean Diet, which focuses on lots of fruit and vegetables, emphasizes fish and poultry, and includes very little red meat, which I'll aim to serve no more than once a week.  Thanks to Cliff's sister, Charlene, I found out Aldi's has frozen fish such as salmon, catfish, and swordfish, at a reasonable price.  The fillets are individually wrapped inside the package, so I can take out two servings for Cliff and me, leaving the remaining ones frozen.

Thanks to our periods of low-fat eating over the years, I have lots of recipes on which to fall back. 

We can do this!

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

My biggest shock was canned soups.  As you said....no more!

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear that Cliff is doing well and that you got a chance to get out and go grocery shopping for a while. Hope your day goes well. Helen

Anonymous said...

Glad things are going well.  The taliapa at Aldi's is wonderful !

Anonymous said...

I too have heard that is a very healthy diet to be on...People in that part of the world tend to have less heart disease.  Glad all is going well !  I do alot of shopping Aldi's - it's amazing how much less things cost there.  Tale good care ! 'On Ya' - ma

Anonymous said...

ketchup?
Don't believe we even have any in the house. Frieda's cooking has always stood on it's own. Before you SKILT me, I modified that line from "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers"
Subway?
Realy! Been once or twice. Figured I could do my own slapping together a Dogwood to my liking at home without atending a miniscule standup public forum.

Anonymous said...

Yes I have eased up on my salt consuming.... I better change as its good for my blood pressure to cut way back. thanks. Sandra

Anonymous said...

You are about to embark on a new life style- reading labels. Glad to hear that things are going well and Cliff is recovering.
Tess

Anonymous said...

I remember when my husband came home from the hospital and I went grocery shopping, my first trip took over two hours with all the label reading! Home made soups are best anyway!

Anonymous said...

JUST READ ALL LABELS! You'll be ok!
They have a ketchup without salt I think, plus you can make your own. ;0)
I get the huge box of individually forzen catfish fillets at Walmarts real reasonable too.
Thinking of you two!
Hugs, SUGAR

Anonymous said...

OH Mosie, Dr. Andrew Weil, a famous dr in Tucson and in the news, has a great book out called living the healthy life. He, too recommends the meditaraian diet. He even has a few "must haves" everyday, like walnuts!  It is a book that I most HIGHLY recommend.  Yes, that sodium is a big surprise and so is the mercury content in fish!  Seems like there is no perfect food, but just very selective eating. I know this is a good thing.  You have inspired me when I get back to K.C.   Anne

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy that Cliff is doing so well.  Starting a new way of life,aren't ya?   Salads, fruits, veggies and lean meats.  It's an adjustment for sure.  If you just read the labels you'll be ok.  There are some good books on living "heart healthy." He's lucky to have you to look after him!
Love to you both,
Pamela

Anonymous said...

Oh, I guess this would be a shock...
It would be hard for me.  But when comes down to health and taking care of yourself, I am sure I could do it.
So good luck.
I wanted to check in and say "hi" to you both.
So tell Cliff that a journal bud said "hello" and glad he is doing better.
I think about you all a lot.  Even though my not stopping by is any evidence of it.
Talk to you later.
Sonya

Anonymous said...

Isn't it amazing how you 'think' you are eating well, and find out later that you were, but weren't.  Did that make sense?  At any rate, I have no doubt you will take excellent care of dear Cliff, Donna.  You are already doing it, and he is so lucky to have you!

I am so happy to hear that Cliff is getting stronger every day!  Praise the Lord!

Hugs,
Jackie

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy cliff is feeling better. Cooking is going to be a challenge. Changing your eating habits is going to be hard, but I know you can do it. You both have already lost weight. Good luck with everything.

Anonymous said...

Well, welcome to Southern California style of eating...:)
Remember my restaurant reviews?  Now you understand...LOL.

fcov3

Anonymous said...

Wow, I never would have guessed that ketchup was so sodium-intensive. That really stinks.
I am so glad Cliff's doing better... I've been checking in daily to see how things were going.
Also, try tilapia... it's a really nice, mellow "white" fish that really goes down easy. It's pretty versatile, as well.

Anonymous said...

The sodium is awful in some foods. Careful with the chicken too. Take the skin off to get rid of the fat. Keep in mind, not all fish is created the same. Some Fish can actually have high fat content also. I don't know what meds Cliff is on but some meds cannot be eatten with some foods, like grapefruits. Walmart has a generic brand of Splenda also.

Anonymous said...

When I was in the hospital with by pass surgery they brought a man in that had by pass 4 weeks before.
He was feeling so well he decided to do some work with his tractor.
When he pulled himself up onto the tractor his stermun was pulled apart
as it was not healed enough and the wires did not keep it together.
Not a great story to be passing on but I don't want anything to happen
to your Cliff because you did not know things like this could happen.
Karla~WA

Anonymous said...

Yes, you can!  Do this, I mean.  It's an adjustment period and a challenge, but you are such a determined and clever woman -- you'll get through and Cliff will too!

Anonymous said...

We love red meat but have been trying to cut back. My husband's doctor (cardiologist) recommended Buffalo (or bison) and Ostritch meat!  They are VERY lean but have that "red meat" flavor.  Ostritch makes great burgers and chili.

Anonymous said...

Hi Donna,

I was also reading the label on catsup over the weekend.  When I saw 190 miligrams of sodium, I couldn't believe it.  I'm like Cliff I put catsup on my burgers, and then dip them in it too...I now will reconsider that...I'm glad Cliff is doing so well.  He looks great.

Pat

Anonymous said...

Some ideas.. on the sodium deal..if he particularly likes something that has alot of sodium.. say 800 mgs or something..make sure he just makes that his one main meal of the day.(as long as he doesn't go over 2000 mgs he is ok).oatmeal and a yogurt for breakfast is low in sodium.. and if he eats a light lunch.. he can have one big meal the way he usually likes it minus any extra fats... You might also want to look into low sodium deli meats..most supermarkets have the boarshead or other varietys of low sodium ham.. which means he can still have a nice ham sandwich.. if he wants to.. ;) Just some ideas..