I need help with my husband's diet. He had an ICD (pacemaker/defibrillator) implant last week due to a pulse of 250. This apparently was caused by damage to his heart from a heart attack 18 years ago. He is over weight and diabetic. The Dr. currently has him on a 1200 calorie diet. We need to watch fats, salts, sugars, etc. - everything associated with a heart/diabetic diet. I am dieting with him as I need to lose weight also.

I guess one thing I need help with is cooking with spices to add flavor. Actually, any advice/help is appreciated.

I may not be a doctor but i'm five foot two, female and overweight and i was told to eat no less than 1450 cals a day(and i have lost weight on this). For a man to be on 1200 a day I find that ridiculous and I'd get a second medical opinion if I were you.

You could also try the 'Dieting with obstacles board' under the support forum. I wish you and your husband the very best!

Wow, that is scary. There are so many forums to post in here you kind of have to nose around to find what is right for you. Good luck to you and your husband.

Most of us fit into more than one category - it is not necessary for you to stick with just one forum.

I would also suggest the Calorie Counting forum since most of us focus on our nutrient % in addition to our calorie targets.

Best of luck - Lori

I think this is short term at this caloric rate. They are trying to get pounds off to lessen the stress on his heart, which only works at half it's efficiency. When he had the original heart attack, it destroyed the back half of his heart. He had a quad bypass at that time. He also needs 2 stents, which will be discussed when he sees a cardiologist on Tuesday.

However, the weight loss will have to continue, hopefully at a higher calorie count.
It would be soooo much easier if I was dealing with just one health issue at a time, but, that's life.

Oh okay then, as long as it's only temporary. Which type diabetes does he have?

i use LOADS of garlic in my cooking, its known to be good for the heart and blood and when put with either ginger and chinese five spice it makes fabulous healthy chinese food, or with basil, oregano and tomatoes for healthy italian style eats!

i love garlic, we get through two bulbs a week!

He has type 2 diabetes. It doesn't run in his family, but it does in mine and we were surprised when he was diagnosed. We know that the chances of me developing it are great, so I guess this heart episode was a wake up call for both of us. We are in our mid 50's.

I second the garlic recommendation. I'm also a big fan of anything that contains cumin. I make a chicken and couscous recipe that's flavored with cumin and cinnamon and it is divine. It's in the South Beach Quick and Easy Cookbook. I'm not doing South Beach, but the cookbook is awesome.

You might try your local library for some diabetes-friendly cookbooks, those will give you lots of ideas.

Thistoo --- We were just in Knoxville for our son's Masters Degree graduation from UT. We shared the cost of a cabin above Gatlinburg Thurs and Fri night - the Fri when the bad storm came through. We were on our way home from there and were in Indiana when the pulse started racing. I count my blessings that is hadn't happened 24 hours earlier on that mountain top. I don't think my husband would be alive. I don't think I could have safely gotten down the mountain and and it would have been extremely difficult for a rescue squad to get up with all the rain, winds, hail and lightening.

Hey! If it's mostly recipes and such you're looking for, you can check out the Foods Subforums:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=215

Also, there are a whole bunch of programs that include recipes--and some are at your library, I bet.

Jay