I don’t know what to eat
Dear Donovan,
I read your article on reducing belly fat and decided to write to get some nutritional advice. I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy in 2014. During the illness I went from weighing 160 pounds down to 125. Even though I was not accustomed to being so slim, this was a good weight to have with such a disease. I am now back to 160 pounds and I’m concerned. I know the weight is not good for me, and my problem is that I do not know what to eat sometimes. I have to eat on time and eat something filling as my blood pressure tends to be on the low end most times. Please advise.
Cardiomyopathy is a condition where there is abnormality in the heart muscles. The cause is often unknown. However, in some cases possible contributing factors have been identified. These include genetic factors, long-term hypertension, chronic increased heartbeat, metabolic disorders such as obesity, connective tissue disorder, pregnancy complications, nutrition deficiency, and also alcohol consumption over many years.
In the early stages of cardiomyopathy, people may experience few or no signs or symptoms at all. In other people there may be shortness of breath, tiredness, swollen legs, irregular heartbeat, or even fainting. In general, cardiomyopathy is treated in many ways, usually based on the severity and the cause. These treatments may include lifestyle changes to create a healthy heart, medicine, non-surgical treatments, as well as surgery and implanting devices.
For people with cardiomyopathy, it is very important to adopt a heart healthy diet, which will also help to create a healthy weight. Extra weight can put more pressure on the weakened heart. In addition, managing stress and being physically active are also key factors in the control of cardiomyopathy.
In your situation, it is very important to take off the extra weight that you have put on. However, it is also important for you to be on a heart healthy programme. Central to your weight loss programme is that you will need to consume enough calories to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. It is important to eat small frequent meals instead of large or heavy meals.
It is also important to restrict cholesterol and iron in your diet. Eating plenty of dietary fibre is also important. Fat in the diet must be of high quality. It is best to use unsaturated low cholesterol/fat.
Consuming plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and vegetable juices is also key in your control of cardiomyopathy. It is also necessary to reduce your salt intake. In some cases you might need supplements with B vitamins. Also, make sure to be as active as you can be. This will definitely help with your stress levels and weight.
Good luck!
We will answer your weight-related questions
Are you struggling to lose weight or just need some advice on living a healthier life? Tell us about your health issues and we’ll have nutritionist and wellness coach Donovan Grant answer them for you. Grant has over 12 years’ experience in the fitness industry and is the owner of DG’s Nutrition and Wellness Centre, Suite 16, 39 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 5. Send your questions to clarkep@ jamaicaobserver.com.
