The foods, the weight, the heart

Male 50yrs, 5' 11"

I started a "diet" in July 2008. At that point I was 237 lbs. On November 1st, I hit 204 lbs. That was it. I've since gained back 4 lbs.

Here's my question.

I gained this weight exclusively on snacking with cereal. I am addicted to late snacking with a box of either honey nut cheerios or lucky charms. ( I never understood cravings until now).

I still have not had any red meat, butter, cheese, saturated fats from oils, or white flour (besides the cereal).

Looking ONLY at the artieries....can gaining weight from carb foods like cereal, contribute to clogging of the arteries?

This question really needs to be answered by a doctor, but I'll throw out an opinion. Just being overweight heads you in the direction of clogged arteries. The liver converts excess calories into cholesterol and storage fat from anything you eat, including carbs.  

I would 100% recommend you quit the cereal. Those cereals are contributing to clogged arteries because they carry tons of sugar which transforms bad fat & cholesterol which does a number on your arteries! 

You need to eat egg whites, olive oil, flaxseed oil, macadamia nut oil, whole grain bread (with 3 grams of fiber or more per serving), etc in order to clean out your arteries and feel better and lose weight! Of course vegetables & fruits & fish & lean proteins also help! Honestly though, stop that cereal, it is not helping you at all, plus you lose control of portion sizes so quickly - who knows how much is in a handful! 

I'd bring back the red meats, cheese etc. in small amounts, cut back on the cereal and then also get exercising.   Eating a healthy, balanced diet with vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, meat/fish etc., is a good thing to do, of course but not in isolation.  If you want to permanently keep your weight down & reduce things like blood-pressure, blood cholesterol levels and the other risk factors associated with 'clogged arteries' and heart disease the most effective thing you can do is regular, daily exercise. 

Instead of spending the evening idly snacking, attach a pedometer to your waistband and go out for a walk, or ride a bike, or join a dance-class.... anything goes.  Good luck

High fat/low carb diets have been shown to improve heart health better than low fat/high carb diets.

The easiest way to avoid snacking on junk cereals late at night is to not keep junk cereals in the house.

Original Post by giasbash6260:

I would 100% recommend you quit the cereal. Those cereals are contributing to clogged arteries because they carry tons of sugar which transforms bad fat & cholesterol which does a number on your arteries! 

You need to eat egg whites, olive oil, flaxseed oil, macadamia nut oil, whole grain bread (with 3 grams of fiber or more per serving), etc in order to clean out your arteries and feel better and lose weight! Of course vegetables & fruits & fish & lean proteins also help! Honestly though, stop that cereal, it is not helping you at all, plus you lose control of portion sizes so quickly - who knows how much is in a handful! 

I needed to hear this from someone, thank you.

When one's emotions are controlled with food, it's so hard to do this alone.

I officially dumped the cereal, and satisfied my sugar craving with an apple.

Original Post by floggingsully:

High fat/low carb diets have been shown to improve heart health better than low fat/high carb diets.

The easiest way to avoid snacking on junk cereals late at night is to not keep junk cereals in the house.

Wow. High fat? Low carbs? Are you saying that carbs are the culprit?

Does that make Atkins a good diet? That diet scares me.

I lost my weight following the American Herat Association recommended diet for a healthy heart.

Original Post by gi-jane:

I'd bring back the red meats, cheese etc. in small amounts, cut back on the cereal and then also get exercising.   Eating a healthy, balanced diet with vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, meat/fish etc., is a good thing to do, of course but not in isolation.  If you want to permanently keep your weight down & reduce things like blood-pressure, blood cholesterol levels and the other risk factors associated with 'clogged arteries' and heart disease the most effective thing you can do is regular, daily exercise. 

Instead of spending the evening idly snacking, attach a pedometer to your waistband and go out for a walk, or ride a bike, or join a dance-class.... anything goes.  Good luck

Too cold to walk :-)

I just ordered an indoor trainer for my bicycle. I love to bike ride, and being Winter here in NY, is one reason why I gained back a few pounds, and rediscovered food.

Original Post by anthony8858:

That diet scares me.

Retaining a healthy amount of scepticism about any extreme diet will serve you well ...  If it sounds 'wrong', it probably is.  The American Heart Association advice is very good on the other hand.