Heart and Diabetic Conditions - What can I eat?

[edgarinuk]

Hello, I am a 70 year old male who lives on my own. I have a history of heart problems, having had two quadruple heart by-pass operations (1991 & 2001). I was diagnosed as borderline? diabetic a couple of years ago and have to admit I paid only lip service to the condition. Two months ago I saw the Doc and was prescribed metformin - 2 x 500, twice a day. Thereafter I spent an awful lot of time rushing to and sitting on the toilet. The Doc has recently taken me off the metformin and wishes to see me in a few weeks. Now that I have decided to take diabetes (Type 2) seriously I am looking at my lifestyle and would be grateful for advice as to what I can eat (which is compatible with low cholestrol needs of my heart situation and the low carbs needs of my diabetic condition). My existing life style consists of eating when I am hungry (I do not stick to regular meal times) and I do not spend time making bits of this, that and the other - in other words meat and two veg, prepared separately, are not my scene. I prefer to have something I can stick in a microwave. For exercise I go dancing 3/4 times a week but normaly end up having a takeaway or easily prepared toastie, thereafter. I used to eat lots of fresh fruit and fruit juices but have now stopped them. I am going to get blood testing kit but my first priority is to decide what I can or cannot eat based on my dual conditions with heart and diabetes. Sorry if this is lengthy. Really would appreciate knowledgable advice . Regards Ed

Medication: atorvatatin, aspirin, ramipril, carvedilol, citalopram, omeprazole, isosorbide mononitrate,

 

[hanadr]

I would have said that the meat and 2 veg thing, light on the potatoes would be the best.
However you like instant food, so that's more difficult. If you like ready meals, you need to keep a close eye on the carb content and keep it low. Or even look into Low Carb Megastore and see if they have something to suit.
How about frozen veg? frozen mixed green veg with something like a couple of sausages or a fried piece of chicken or a chop would also be a good meal.
i only make 1 "proper" meal per day for the 2 of us. It's usually based on low carb vegetables. Tonight I'm cooking cauliflower. I'll bake it whole in the oven and serve with grated cheese. I've not done this before, but a friend recommended it!
Tomorrow will be shredded savoy cabbage with crumbled crisp streaky bacon. I will put a couple of small new potatoes on for husband. I won't have those.
The low carb way was invented by Atkins [ a cardiologist] for his patients and they did well on it.
In any case go for redced carbs and food as natural and unprocessed as you can.
Hana