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4 lads mom
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| Posted: May 09 2013 at 10:59am | IP Logged
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Hi Friends,
I was wondering if any of you have ever tried the DASH diet....Dietary Approaches to Stopping Hypertension. I just started on Sunday. Let me say, I am NOT a diet girl...I have at least 25 pounds to lose...and I have had hypertension the last five years and have been on meds. I noticed that my BP was creeping up the last year...and I am maxed out on my current med. So..I found this DASH diet and got a book with a weight loss aspect to it using the diet. I started on Sunday and my BP is already significantly down!! It was 150/90 a few weeks ago at a doc’s appointment....I was really nervous so that was part of it, but I knew it was going up. I just took it again yesterday...and it is 113/73!!! I have lost almost 4 pounds since Sunday, which is I am sure mostly water weight. I am not nearly as bloated, I didn’t realize how swollen I was until I am now not that swollen. I keep looking at my hands like, “Wow, they look so small!” 
The whole diet is just eating healthy. It is two weeks of very low carb, to “jump start” your metabolism, followed by reintroducing whole grains in modest amounts. This diet, as a nurse, just makes sense to me. There is a LOT of research to back up how well it works. It has not been easy, and I am finding I have eaten a LOT of carbs because I am so tired all of the time. I have reintroduced a lot more dairy into my diet, (after being vegan for over a year) and that seems to work for me. It is more protein, low carbs...It has been a bit challenging with all of the food sensitivities and allergies both in the kids and my own....but I am working hard to “make it work."
Another huge benefit is I came off of decaf coffee in the morning...that is a HUGE thing. That along with no wheat....and I have not had one bit of reflux this whole week. I have been on reflux med for over a decade. This is the first time I haven’t had reflux. WOW.  I really like rooibus tea, good stuff, no reflux with it so far.
So, I just wanted to share, and see if anyone else is doing the DASH diet as well and what your experiences have been....It truly has been the only “diet” (really a lifestyle change) that I have been hopeful about helping me to change my eating habits after years and years of destructive habits..mostly from being so dang tired and dealing with huge stressors of the kids’ medical needs. I have worked so hard to keep them alive  I figure it’s time for me to work on ME staying around for a long time 
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4 lads mom
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| Posted: May 09 2013 at 11:08am | IP Logged
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I might also add that my mom is type II diabetes, and I had gestational diabetes with one of my kids...so I am predisposed to diabetes. Here’s the book I got for it...
DASH Diet Weight Loss Solution
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JennGM
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| Posted: May 09 2013 at 12:12pm | IP Logged
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Sounds interesting! So you were drinking decaf and still having a problem?
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Bethany
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Oh, I wish I could see that much improvement so quickly. I did start a few weeks back and also quit caffeine. My BP has been in the 150/90's. It went down to 130/high80's. Unfortunately, I just may have to take medicine. I haven't yet but I have a long history of high BP. My great-grandmother ate only rice for many years while living on a farm and feeding a family with 11 children in order to keep hers down. My grandmother (her daughter) had a heart attack at 55 which almost killed her due to uncontrolled hbp. My mother has been on medication since her late 30's. My great-aunt (my grandmother's sister) just died from kidney failure after having heart surgery for an enlarged aorta, which is another side effect of hbp. Now me, late 30's, history of pre-eclampsia and my bp is creeping up. I think all these years of being pregnant and nursing kept in check but now  .
I really think salt does effect mine. When I really watch that, it seems to come down a little. I thought I would see more improvement with stopping caffeine, but that really hasn't had an effect. Maybe I should really give it a try. I did, but certainly didn't see that much of an impact. I think my hbp may be so hereditary and have very little to do with diet.
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Bethany
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4 lads mom
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| Posted: May 09 2013 at 1:25pm | IP Logged
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Jennifer, the decaf definitely messed with my. GERD, even using the low acid coffee. I can tell a big difference without it. I suspect it is a combination of wheat issues and coffee combined.
Bethany, do ask your doc about DASH...even if you go on meds, they say the DASH diet will help the BP be better controlled by possibly less meds than having to max out meds with moderate control. I wasn't quite clear, you are doing DASH now?
It is really challenging me to face some issues with how I eat....not easy but the alternative is much scarier than having carbs whenever I want..
Keep us updated!
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Erin
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4 lads mom
Sounds fascinating, and to have such results already! Definitely encouraging and supporting you  do keep us updated.
Bethany
That's quite a history!!! Encouraging you in finding the right key
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Erin
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Marcia
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I would recommend that diet often when I worked as a Dietitian at the hospital. It's one you can stay on forever...so more of a lifestyle change than a diet that you go on for a while and then off again.
Glad to hear its working for you!
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Marcia
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JodieLyn
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While it's not likely to be a dramatic change. Something that may help is to increase your vitamin C intake.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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Bethany
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| Posted: June 17 2013 at 2:30pm | IP Logged
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Ok, so I had to come back and tell you what I've done. I've been doing "extreme" DASH or the Eat to Live plan. Basically I've become a gluten free vegan, quit all caffeine and alcohol.(not that I drank much). I started around the last week of May. The past week or so I also started walking most everyday, even in the Texas heat. At first it didn't seem to drop quickly enough, but last night my BP was 115/75  . Unfortunately, given my family history I really think I need to be that extreme. I've lost about 10 lbs and dropped one size. I need to lose more, but its going to take a little bit. Surprisingly, it hasn't been too hard to stick with and now that I've seen such great results there's no going back. I just thought I would pass this along in case anyone else wasn't succeeding with "moderation". I've learned I can't do moderation. My husband still has meat, but he's so happy my BP is down that he helps however he can like eating out at Jason's Deli so I can have a salad  .
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Bethany
Wife to Mike, Mommy to Amelia (6/02), Sarah (10/03), Martha Grace (10/05), Rebecca Anne (12/07), Laura Catherine (3/10) and Reed Michael 7/4/14.
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Bethany
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Oh, and my oldest dubbed my diet the SSS diet. Smoothie, salad and soup!
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Bethany
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: June 17 2013 at 3:13pm | IP Logged
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Bethany that is really really good news. I'm so happy you found something that is working for you. Good Job
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4Real Forums : Our Lady of Good Remedy and Care
Topic: DASH diet
