I'm a genetic time bomb. Cardiovascular disease is present in both my parents and their parents and their parents... You get the idea. I was diagnosed with carotid artery disease at 47. While my cholesterol has remained controlled by medication and a heart healthy diet, ultrasounds showed that they have not stopped the progression of plaque build up in my arteries. Clearly, I needed something more.
I found and read Rip's father's book, Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Caldwell Esselstyn, and LOVED the information and the strait to the point "what" and "why" of a vegan, no-oil life style. Though I couldn't imagine life without cheese and milk products, I understood that if I was going to change my fate, something this "drastic" was required. So, I adopted the diet based on the information available in his father's book and began to see DRAMATIC results about 2 weeks into the diet. After 60 days, I lost 24 pounds. But it wasn't about the weight loss for me. While the compliments are wonderful on my new appearance and it's exciting to be 2 sizes smaller, the real changes (I hoped) were happening on the inside. Today, I got confirmation from my doctor that my total cholesterol has dropped from 188 to 119 and my LDL from 119 to 56. Nope, not a typo... 56!! Dr. Esselstyn's diet has turned out to be a godsend.
You're probably thinking: what does this have to do with The Engine 2 Diet?
Confession: If you're considering changing your health like I did, I will and must admit to being a little frustrated... Initially. Having lived my entire life eating a lighter version of the Western Diet: fruits or veggies at every meal, minimal red meats, heavy on the grilled chicken, turkey and fish, low sodium and low fat milk, cheeses and ice cream (remember, CV disease is a family way of life) I didn't have a large understanding of the variety available in a plant based diet and how the heck to prepare these items, let alone make them taste GOOD. Tho there are a few excellent resources full of recipes and how to cook and bake for vegans online, there were always the questions in my mind: "How do I do this without the oil?" and "Will this even turn out right without the oil?" So I found myself in a "safe rut" with few and limited players on my plate and in my bowl that tasted good and were diet allowed. Boring! The Engine 2 Diet has served to shed light on all my gray areas of understanding and has put variety back into my life. This book is a MUST for your new lifestyle. Rip explains a lot of the new foods and terminology you'll encounter and he tells you how to prepare them, too. I struggled in the early days (and still do sometimes) trying to figure out what's OK to include or skip. Rip put's it here in black and white. I keep this book on my phone as a resource when shopping or cooking and it's made things so much easier. So, so much easier. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK.
Words of Encouragement:
Reading Labels Sucks. But it is a necessary evil. And yes, even a single drop off oil is a drop too much. So many things contain oil... Especially the ones that are supposed to be "good" oils (olive, canola, soy...) Hang in there. It gets easier and subsequent trips to the grocery store gets easier as you learn your safe labels. Don't worry about not getting enough fats in your diet. Plants and grains contain plenty in their "natural" packaging.
Don't Skimp on High Protein Veggies, Grains and Beans. This is easy to do especially if you have a busy lifestyle. Grabbing a quick piece of fruit and coffee for breakfast for instance, IS diet friendly, but you just fasted for 6-8 hours while you slept. Sure you'll lose weight, sure you're cholesterol will drop... BUT you run the risk of increasing your triglycerides with your carb only intake. Increased triglycerides can lead to diabetes. Better to eat some cereal or oatmeal with that fruit. I use a disposable bowl for oatmeal to eat at red lights when I'm in a real hurry. Thankfully, this isn't too often.
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Very promising way to begin to get healthy.
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2018
Jus started reading. There is a lot of good information to read. I will be planning out my 28 days when I am through the book and will update my review at the end of the period.
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2018
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Kevin Gibbons
Inspiring story and useful recipes
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