Any stockpilers with heart problems?

**buffy871** · 10-20-2011, 12:11 PM

I just had to give a large part of my stockpile away. I've been ignoring my diabetes for years, and the doctor is about to put me on insulin. I also have high cholesterol and high blood pressure. I had to give away all my canned and dried fruit (fruit drives my blood sugar nuts).

I also found out that most processed goods contain way too much salt (I only get 1200 to 1500mg/day) and/or too much sugar. I'm not allowed any refined sugar. I'm supposed to get all my carbs from plant sources or whole grains.

I already bought quinoa and barley, as well as some whole wheat bread for the freezer, but as far as veggies go I'm stumped. Canned veggies have too much salt, even the "lower sodium" versions. I've found no sugar added canned veggies, but no no salt added versions.

My freezer already has a decent amount of veggies, and I'm going to buy dried skim milk, but I'm not comfortable with how heavily my stash has to rely on the freezer now. In a true emergency I assume we wouldn't have power, and I can't think of a way to get veggies for stockpiling.

I do own a dehydrator, but I don't know how to do veggies. Any ideas?

**imagine** · 10-20-2011, 12:37 PM

We buy our no salt added can veggies at walmart or emergency storage. Their store brand. They are within our salt limits but your might be more strict?

We use frozen for everyday life and pantry storage.

**Megareader** · 10-20-2011, 04:15 PM

We also have diabetes/cholesterol/blood pressure issues here. Walmart does have a good variety of canned and frozen veggies & fruit that work for our diet. Of course, fresh is always our first choice.

**thefrug** · 10-21-2011, 03:13 PM

I have BP, and Pre-Diabetic, I also have a bad heart valve, but I don't take meds for it any.
If you had a dehydrator, you could dry the frozen veggies easily. I eat less than 1200mg of salt a day. I use fresh and dried herbs.
I think I read where Vit D helps with diabetes also. Maybe you can start a suppliment of D.
How are you suppose to get the nutrients that fruits supply if you don't eat them? Is it just the canned that raises your sugar( they have lots of added sugars to the syrups ya know)? Maybe fresh would be better. Eat whats in season maybe.
I dehydrate LOTs of veggies, herbs and fruit.
They do make whole grain and whole wheat versions of some foods
I've found that I can eat anything as long as I don't binge on it and I exercise every day. I do the elliptical so it's easy on the knees.
Maybe you need to up the exercise? *shrugs*

**savvy_sniper** · 10-21-2011, 03:46 PM

Everything in moderation! That being said, there are canned veggies that have no salt added. Frozen veggies are even better. Try to locate a farmer's market in your area. Buy what is in season; it will be less expensive.

Between eating healthier and walking on my treadmill, I got my blood sugar back in the normal range in 90 days and did not have to go on diabetes meds. You REALLY want to try to get your diabetes under control without meds. Once you are on the meds, it is MUCH harder to get off.

You have got to get moving! Walking is perfect. Start off slow and don't walk far. Up it a little bit every couple of days. If you have a treadmill, that is great to use when the weather is bad. You can also walk in the mall.

Try to stay away or reduce any food that is white - bread, rice, potatoes. We are eating more sweet potatoes, carrots, and green veggies.

Try to cook from scratch. Boxed and processed foods have TONS of salt in them. Cooking from scratch is healthier and you control what goes in.

Cut way back on processed meats. Bake or broil lean, white meat, fish, pork, chicken. We have hamburger meat from time to time and I make sure to drain the fat. I also had high cholesterol, but not anymore!

And most of all, you have to treat yourself occasionally. So if you start eating healthy and exercising, you can reward yourself from time to time. For me, it is HALF of a ribeye steak, a baked sweet potato, and salad.

Good luck! You are at a turning point and you and only you can decide which direction you will go. You will be surprised what a few changes in your eating habits and a little exercise can do!

**mh3rdwheel** · 10-21-2011, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by buffy871

I just had to give a large part of my stockpile away. I've been ignoring my diabetes for years, and the doctor is about to put me on insulin. I also have high cholesterol and high blood pressure. I had to give away all my canned and dried fruit (fruit drives my blood sugar nuts).

I also found out that most processed goods contain way too much salt (I only get 1200 to 1500mg/day) and/or too much sugar. I'm not allowed any refined sugar. I'm supposed to get all my carbs from plant sources or whole grains.

I already bought quinoa and barley, as well as some whole wheat bread for the freezer, but as far as veggies go I'm stumped. Canned veggies have too much salt, even the "lower sodium" versions. I've found no sugar added canned veggies, but no no salt added versions.

My freezer already has a decent amount of veggies, and I'm going to buy dried skim milk, but I'm not comfortable with how heavily my stash has to rely on the freezer now. In a true emergency I assume we wouldn't have power, and I can't think of a way to get veggies for stockpiling.

I do own a dehydrator, but I don't know how to do veggies. Any ideas?

A former boss told me that when her husband was alive he was on a low sodium diet, she would buy the canned veggies, but she would rinse them thoroughly to get rid of a lot of salt. (he also was a diabetic).

If you have ham it can rinse it before cooking it helps get rid of some of salt.

My husband has high cholesterole and uncontrollable high blood pressure he is on a 2000gram sodium diet, when buying seasoning, buy Mrs. Dash, garlic powder, onion powder, plain frozen veggies.

Good luck.

**crafty73** · 10-24-2011, 04:51 PM

Have diabetes in my family as well heart problems. Remember that its important to keep some sort of easily absorbed high sugar snack/drink around in case your sugar level drastically drop. Having your sugar levels extremely low is just as bad as having them very high.

Rinsing canned items can help or learning to can on your own - that way you know exactly what it is in it....there's ton of resources/recipes etc for folks who are diabetic. My dad who had diabetes and heart problems ate as much fresh foods as possible and very lean cuts of meat. He ate at scheduled times and the meals were always very healthy. That being said, when his sugar levels would drop dramatically, he needed to have a soda pop or candy or something to get them back up asap...But that wasn't an every day occurance.....

Moderation is key....too much or too little of anything can cause adverse reactions. Salt can be found in so many of our foods but we can not totally elliminate from our diets as it is a mineral we do need - too much is a bad thing, not enough of it, is also bad.

A food dehydrator would be awesome for you to have. You can stock up on freeze dried fruits and veggies too. They are healthy and not loaded with salt

Good luck