Anyone with high cholesterol?

[surgtech1956]

The doctor wants to give me 3 months to lower my cholesterol - without medication. I don't really eat beef and pork, but do eat margarine/butter, eggs and cheese. I use way too much butter, so I'm going to cut butter and cheese and keep the eggs. I'm going to try the oatmeal(long cooking) - I eat the quick oats - thought this was as good as the long cooking, but guess not. Almonds are good too? I also need to reduce my weight, with gas just going up to $3.79 a gallon, I'll be commuting as soon as it warms up a bit. She suggests I swim, I'm not a swimmer, I'll bike and walk.

[Pax]

The doctor wants to give me 3 months to lower my cholesterol - without medication. I don't really eat beef and pork, but do eat margarine/butter, eggs and cheese. I use way too much butter, so I'm going to cut butter and cheese and keep the eggs. I'm going to try the oatmeal(long cooking) - I eat the quick oats - thought this was as good as the long cooking, but guess not. Almonds are good too? I also need to reduce my weight, with gas just going up to $3.79 a gallon, I'll be commuting as soon as it warms up a bit. She suggests I swim, I'm not a swimmer, I'll bike and walk.

My doc told me she'd give me six months to let the veg diet and exercise do it's thing and then I'd have to go on Lipitor..I said "no". She seemed surprised by that.

[Chile Pepper]

I eat the quick oats - thought this was as good as the long cooking, but guess not. Almonds are good too?

Quick oats are fine--they contain the same fiber and nutrients that traditional oats contain. The problem is with the flavored packets of instant, which contain lots of sugar and not as many oats. I use plain instant, add nonfat powdered milk and a dash of brown sugar or syrup, maybe some raisins or other fruit.

Yes, almonds are also good, but watch the calories.

ETA: by plain instant, I mean the big box of plain oats, not the "regular" flavor packet that still contains added yucky stuff.

[surgtech1956]

I've always liked oatmeal - my favorite next to french toast. I quick eating the instant oatmeal a year ago. We buy the quick oats, but DGF bought the longer cooking oats.