When I was 20 year old, I had a cholesterol of 244. I was told get it under control or medication. I couldn't believe it! But that was the start of my healthy life!
What you eat when you are in your teens is often processed quick grab foods. And sadly many Americans eat that way daily.
Tressa you're on your way to finding out more about your body and health then the medical professionals you see!
after my 244 reading, I spent a year getting it under control and learning about healthy options. For 20 years my cholesterol level has been 153. Then last year it zipped up to 211, but oddly enough, it's not the LDL that is raising my overall number. It's an extremely high HDL, 101!! I'm now part of a study to learn more about people with this condition.. the lab I'm working with asked how did I learn to be so healthy... I told them experience!
Some suggestions for you:
1)Read Gary Scheiner's book "Think Like a Pancreas". It will give you some great tips on living with diabetes. Gary has lived with diabetes since he was 18 and few people can give it normalcy like he can!
2) Don't go crazy on the diet! I was vegan for 10 years and ended up with anemia and micromineral imbalances. I felt like fainting everytime I stood up! Use common sense: calories, carb counting and good food. If you want to learn about food, read Gary's book first to understand what you need to care for the diabetes, calories, carb and insulin. Then look for food that you love and read about it's health rating.
3)Look for books/information on gluten free b/c that has been my biggest education on what is processed.. Wow, that was a shocker! (celiacchicks.net, glutenfreegirl.com are great sites to get your basics.)
4) Once you get a sense of your needs then look for quick grab food options! B/c that's how we got here in the first place! I ended my addiction to chips by buying carrots and hummus and celery and fresh ground pb for snacks! I realized that the fat cravings I used to have left, and my snacks didn't create cholesterol issues. I didn't give up fat, but just got rid of processed food choices. I eat real aged cheese, nothing processed, I snack on rice crackers and rice cakes when desperate! Olive oil is the best, and only fat I use for cooking and eating! I used to love a baguette dipped in Olive oil!!
5) Try Dr. Andrew Weil's website on eating vegan. He's a harvard MD that has been vegan for decades. His site is a wealth of information, tips and recipes. Sign up for his daily tips.
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Tressa, awesomely honest post. Thanks for telling us about it, 'cause that's a seriously good point (that weight and high cholesterol don't always go together!).
I don't have high cholesterol, but I do have a good tummy I'm trying to healthfully get rid of, so looks like you and I are opposites in this situation BUT we both have to watch what we eat, check BG often and hit the gym, baby!
Good luck to ya!