Thursday, November 20, 2008

More Second-Life Tips (Page 11)

If you've read the previous 10 pages, you understand more about our amazing hearts, heart disease and artery plaque, and how to tackle it. As many people are tied to the psychological aspects of red meat and fried foods, plus processed, salty chips, crackers, soda, cookies, and other sweets, we need to provide some sense of fulfillment.

These foods often contribute to significant (and silent) health problems like high-blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Weight gain is another result that can sneak up on people.

There are good alternatives that can leave you feeling full and satisfied—and that’s the key! Use olive oil instead of butter, but use sparingly, such as on salads or grilled veggies. Also, make a more comfortable transition in your eating by moving in smaller steps over several weeks.

Add more veggies and have less refined (white) carbs. Have more lean meats and fish instead of red meat. Make a gradual, phased transition over several weeks rather than opting for sudden change—that can create a sense of feeling deprived and feelings of loss of what you are used to! I can help provide coaching for these changes. Send me an e-mail at the contact info and we’ll discuss in more detail.

Lets recall the benefits of the "Second Life" eating and supplement plan. It’s lower in saturated fats and refined carbs, and higher in nutrient rich, flavorful veggies, fruits, and antioxidants. Those changes will keep you feeling young inside and out, helping you to manage wrinkles too!

As an additional benefit, think about your family, friends and loved ones. Think about your life, career, and future. Think about how much better you can feel, how much more productive you can be as you get older, keeping a higher level of vitality as you move into your second life.

Here’s a secret I didn’t tell you before: The "Second Life" eating plan and nutritional can also help you manage the risk factors I listed on page 3, such as high-blood pressure, weight gain, and diabetes!

That means, you might not need other diets or drugs to manage those other risk factors, but see how it compares to recommendations you might already have. Remember how green tea and chocolate can help relax arteries and help keep them flexible? That’s another critical step in keeping plaque at bay! Do the juice fasts a few times a year too, and you’re starting to evolve a new second life!

We can all enjoy more healthy and flavorful foods, having the unhealthy one a few times a year. Let’s enjoy more lean meats (broiled, grilled, or baked), veggies, including healthy choices like olives, artichokes, mushrooms, squash, etc., some whole grains (as a side dish) and fruits.

Use more spices and herbs for flavor—did you know that oregano can help boost your immune system? Use cinnamon to help blood sugar and curry for inflammation. I blend those to create an interesting flavor. Add the right supplements to help counter the loss of digestive abilities and drop in hormones.

Here’s the bottom line: You can take control of your life and health. You can become more educated and begin to make better choices. In that process, you will have more energy and quality of life as you age, with less risk of disability, heart attack, or sudden death.

Disclaimer: The information contained on this website is for educational use and is not intended as a substitute for the diagnosis or treatment of a licensed professional. Statements regarding the properties or functions of nutritional supplements may not have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

©2008-2009 by Steve/Beat Heart Disease