nancy324
Cathlete
I've had so many excellent responses from people here, I thought I would bring up a topic that's a little more personal, and very close to my heart.
My husband recently went to a new doctor for his annual physical, and the new doc is wonderful. After the physical, he sent my husband a long email with his results. The doc said my husband has a few problems, including high blood pressure, but that his diet is a "major factor". He said that "A diet rich in fish, vegetables, salads, and whole fruits, while avoiding the simple starches (bread, sugar, flour-based products), cheeses, fried foods and dairy fat WOULD HELP IMMENSELY." (my emphasis) If he doesn't change his diet, he will have to go on medication.
My husband is now in his early fifties, and he's right at that point, as I see it, where he can prevent any serious illnesses in the future. I am a great believer in prevention, and I spend a lot of time and energy preaching to him, and I am wearing myself out.
He has this way of eating that is just like a little child. Hog dogs and french fries are a "basic" in his diet. The buns always have to match the shape of the meat inside them. He loves lettuce, but it doesn't go in sandwiches for some reason, because that's one of the rules. Sandwiches are just meat and bread. He thinks bread smeared with margarine is a good meal! He is blissfully unafraid of trans-fatty acids. He loves chocolate milk and hot chocolate. (He has no interest in adult drinks like coffee or tea, and he does not drink alcohol). He has a total aversion to anything from the sea. He refuses to eat breakfast.
On the good side, his son and I have convinced him to take fish oil pills every day. He also loves salads, which we have been having for dinner every night. It took a while to convince him that a salad could be a main course, but he finally got over his aversion to putting meat in the salad by thinking of it as a "chef salad", which was a familar term so he could deal with it. <sigh> Also, he loves chocolate and I've got him eating Healthy Choice chocolate ice cream at night instead of his other much worse snacks. He loves both vegetables and fruit (thank god!).
I've been making some progress in the 6 or so years we've been living together, but it is slow and takes a lot of effort. Now that the doctor has laid it out for us, I am more anxious than ever to get him on the road to preventing any illness.
I am a bit perfectionistic myself, and I'm a big worrier, so it takes an awful lot out of me. Maybe I get overly involved. Also, I was raised in a family where healthy eating and prevention is our religion, so his whole way of eating is particularly alien to me. I go to a nutritionist myself, and I take great joy in my results. So we are a pretty odd couple!
Thank you all so much for allowing me to vent. I love him so much. Anyone else have these problems? Any suggestions?
Thanks!
-Nancy
My husband recently went to a new doctor for his annual physical, and the new doc is wonderful. After the physical, he sent my husband a long email with his results. The doc said my husband has a few problems, including high blood pressure, but that his diet is a "major factor". He said that "A diet rich in fish, vegetables, salads, and whole fruits, while avoiding the simple starches (bread, sugar, flour-based products), cheeses, fried foods and dairy fat WOULD HELP IMMENSELY." (my emphasis) If he doesn't change his diet, he will have to go on medication.
My husband is now in his early fifties, and he's right at that point, as I see it, where he can prevent any serious illnesses in the future. I am a great believer in prevention, and I spend a lot of time and energy preaching to him, and I am wearing myself out.
He has this way of eating that is just like a little child. Hog dogs and french fries are a "basic" in his diet. The buns always have to match the shape of the meat inside them. He loves lettuce, but it doesn't go in sandwiches for some reason, because that's one of the rules. Sandwiches are just meat and bread. He thinks bread smeared with margarine is a good meal! He is blissfully unafraid of trans-fatty acids. He loves chocolate milk and hot chocolate. (He has no interest in adult drinks like coffee or tea, and he does not drink alcohol). He has a total aversion to anything from the sea. He refuses to eat breakfast.
On the good side, his son and I have convinced him to take fish oil pills every day. He also loves salads, which we have been having for dinner every night. It took a while to convince him that a salad could be a main course, but he finally got over his aversion to putting meat in the salad by thinking of it as a "chef salad", which was a familar term so he could deal with it. <sigh> Also, he loves chocolate and I've got him eating Healthy Choice chocolate ice cream at night instead of his other much worse snacks. He loves both vegetables and fruit (thank god!).
I've been making some progress in the 6 or so years we've been living together, but it is slow and takes a lot of effort. Now that the doctor has laid it out for us, I am more anxious than ever to get him on the road to preventing any illness.
I am a bit perfectionistic myself, and I'm a big worrier, so it takes an awful lot out of me. Maybe I get overly involved. Also, I was raised in a family where healthy eating and prevention is our religion, so his whole way of eating is particularly alien to me. I go to a nutritionist myself, and I take great joy in my results. So we are a pretty odd couple!
Thank you all so much for allowing me to vent. I love him so much. Anyone else have these problems? Any suggestions?
Thanks!
-Nancy