Low Cholesterol Budget Pollo Vegitarian Recipes?

[annastronaut]

My husband just got some blood test results back saying that he has high cholesterol and needs to make a change in diet and lifestyle. I'm excited to start this journey with him, but as the primary cook in our household have no idea where to start

Comments

[unfeignedly]

This will probably not be a popular opinion here but since my husband and I started eating paleo-style, my cholesterol is perfect, his cholesterol improved and so did my asthma.

It's basically grain-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, no legumes either and as little processed food as possible. We eat a ton of veggies, meat, eggs, some fruit and nuts.

Nomnompaleo.com has a ton of recipes, so does omgpaleo and the clothes make the girl.

[tisiphone]

Paleo is an incredibly expensive diet, though. It's really not good for someone on a fixed budget.

[unfeignedly]

It certainly can be. Starches are no doubt cheaper.

Paleo strongly suggests eating organic veggies, fruits, grass-fed meats, free-range eggs etc. I can't afford ANY of that so I don't worry about it, I just shop how I normally do and avoid grains etc not on the diet. And I feel healthier, also saving tons on my asthma meds!

[kailen]

Seconding this. I don't buy organic/grass-fed/free-range everything because I can't afford it, but even just eating conventional veggies, fruit, meat, and eggs and NO grains makes a big difference.

Eating foods that contain cholesterol is not actually what raises, your cholesterol, contrary to conventional wisdom, so eggs and meats are fine to eat. And eggs tend to be really cheap, so you can make quiches (adding whichever meats and veggies you prefer) pretty easily and for relatively cheap.

[unfeignedly]

Love quiches! And so freezable!

[trendywendy]

I completely agree. I just finished up a Whole30 (a more strict version of paleo for 30 days), which can be very good for elimination if you have any aversions you've not yet been able to source. Here's a link for doing the Whole30 on a budget (yes, it can be done!) -> http://whole9life.com/2011/01/paleo-poor-your-guide-to-the-grocery-store/

[unfeignedly]

Congrats!! That's what I'm doing now! I'm on Day 6. And will definitely take a look at that link too!

[trendywendy]

Thanks! Good luck to you, too. It's very eye opening how much sugar and soybean gunk is in EVERYTHING. I'm going to continue eating in a similar fashion even though I'm done. My body has responded extremely well to it. Refined flour was the source of my coughing fits so I share your joy at spending less on asthma meds!

[annastronaut]

I'll have to check out the paleontologist stuff. I have to admit that I've been interested, but I don't think the husband would be willing to do it. He's just too picky.

Congrats on getting the asthma under control! I'm working on getting a handle on mine right now. How has going paleo helped with this?

[rainarana]

Check out a primal diet (Mark's Daily Apple) as well, not as strict as paleo. Also, not sure if you've tried, but roasting vegetables can make them much more palatable to people who don't like them and tossing with a little parmesan cheese (I eat dairy) makes them even better. Especially broccoli.

[rainarana]

Oh, and as far as paleo and asthma, paleo reduces inflammation which is behind most disease. I have an AI disorder which remains in remission on paleo and also get systemic inflammation (possibly something but it's controlled so I don't bother investigating) when I eat too "modern".

[unfeignedly]

For me it was the grains. Last year I tried low-carbing and when we lived in a hotel all healthy eating went out the window and breakfasts was completely continental - bagels, muffins that kind of stuff. After a while my asthma came back full force. We moved into our house in dec and i restarted paleo on 1/1, not too stringently - still have some dairy, some sugar but I made sure I had zero grain. Since 1/1 I've used my symbicort inhaler 5 times. Instead of every other day or so! And I don't need my rescue inhaler at all. Bonus - I've lost 14 pounds

[annastronaut]

Lol paleo, not paleontologist. Autocorrect is a bitch