My Heart-Healthy Journey Rooted in Flavor:
Food has always been at the heart of our family.
My daughter and I share a deep love for good food (my husband too, he just eats a lot more of it!). But behind the joy of cooking and eating together, I’ve spent over a decade managing serious health challenges, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
A Wake-Up Call
Back in 2013, my cholesterol started creeping up. By early 2020, it had skyrocketed to nearly 390, with dangerously high triglycerides. My blood pressure was also rising. I was thin, exercised regularly (though mostly low-intensity cardio), and thought I ate fairly well. But none of it seemed to make a difference.
Finding the Right Help
Fortunately, I found support through 2nd.MD, a benefit offered through my employer. That connection led me to a brilliant lipid specialist at the University of Michigan Medical Center (GO BLUE!).
This cardiologist changed my life. He provided a clear roadmap for change: smarter food choices, more intensive cardio workouts, and medications tailored to my needs. It wasn’t easy. Some medications had intense side effects, one caused a cough so severe I was vomiting from it. But eventually, with patience and persistence, we found the right balance. My numbers stabilized. I felt better.
Reinventing the Way I Cook
I also had to transform the way I cooked for myself and my family. I cut out added salt and began cooking with extra virgin olive oil. I swapped much of the meat for heart-healthy beans, and started building meals around ingredients known to support cardiovascular health.
Continue with Lots of Flavor and More..
Growing up in India, I was used to delicious, spice-filled meals every day. The bland iceberg lettuce salads that my coworkers ate and I also ate during grad school in the U.S. were never going to cut it. So, I turned to herbs and spices, layering flavor into every dish while keeping it healthy and satisfying.
Why I'm Sharing This
This journey taught me that heart-healthy food doesn't have to be boring or tasteless. With the right ingredients and creativity, it can be flavorful and enjoyable.
I'm excited to share this journey with all of you; one recipe, one story, one delicious, heart-healthy meal at a time.
No comments:
Post a Comment