I may need to quit baking

[MissMillie]

My guy has a number of health issues (including Type 2 diabetes) which are amplified by his being about 50 lbs. overweight. Yesterday, a chest x-ray and EKG indicated that his heart could be something that we now have to worry about.

(Don't get me wrong, I could stand to lose a few lbs. too)

In a 4 day period, he consumed 8 brownies, 7/8th of a pie, and half a box of Girl Scout cookies... and I saw him eating some ice cream too.

Since Mom passed away, I've been teaching myself to bake as a way to commune w/ her.

I can't lose Al... I just can't. I need to keep the sweets out of the house.

[samnsara]

1. i dont bake at all for this reason but hubby rat holes crap junk food

..at his desk and he casually tosses treats to the Golden who is now 20% over weight. Hubs is a ca survivor and had a kidney and spleen removed. Hes also a health care provider and KNOWS that what he eats is crap.

I just make sure the insurance policy is up to date...

[MissMillie]

4. I feel like a bit of a hypocrite

because I'm a smoker. Only about 1/2 pack per day, but still.

I have to add though, that I do not complain about chest pain and being short of breath.

I imagine I can't stop him from buying ice cream, but I'm going to suggest that if we want to have it once in a while, there are places we can go for a cone.

[raging moderate]

2. Start baking whole-wheat bread and rolls. Etc.

Prbably you can find some healthy recipes that leave out the salt and sugar and eggs, at least mostly. You can arrange the dough in pretty patterns. And the smell in the house is heavenly!

[PJMcK]

3. Al needs to take his health more seriously

I love your posts, MissMillie, and hope to read more from you!

Your SO is older, as am I. Although I’m not overweight and don’t have diabetes (yet!), in my late 60s, I have plenty of health concerns. Colonoscopies, blood chemistry, dermatological concerns, blood pressure, cholesterol and more are concerns I face every day. My daily medications include 3 prescriptions and half a dozen supplements.

Please encourage Al to care more about his health and eating habits. Fruits are better than pie or donuts. They taste better, too! I’ve started taking a half hour health walk every day. It’s helped my morning routines and my heart. It’s also not that hard.

While these steps take a little discipline, I feel a little better and my mind is at ease that I’m trying to stay healthy. Bonus: My wife likes how I look!

Great good luck to you both!

[woodsprite]

5. We substituted regular brownies with black bean brownies

They aren't quite as sweet, but with a quarter cup of low carb sugar free ice cream and a few nuts sprinkled on top, it looks like a fancy dessert.

I’ve also taken to having fresh fruit for dessert. If I need or want more than that, I’ll have the fruit over Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or a mini shortcake made with a sugar substitute. I sometimes make a few versions of the South Beach Ricotta cups but usually halve the serving size.

This weekend I’m planning on experimenting with making my own bagel bites from Greek yogurt, almond flour, and everything bagel seasoning. I’ll let you all know how they turn out.

Best wishes to you and your husband. This journey is not an easy one. I’m heading to the drs today for a med change.

[mitch96]

6. I had to stop making "No Kneed bread". too simple and too fattening.. I was eating fresh sour dough bread

and butter all the time.. It's like my fondness for liquid bread.........beer.
Once in a while, ok but not a steady diet. I get a bit too "chubby"..
m

[MOMFUDSKI]

7. It is strictly up to him as to what he eats.

I have been diabetic for 27 years and it is all on me regarding my food intake. You have every right to bake if that makes you feel good. Most baked goods can be frozen. I bake a lot. My husband will overindulge at times and that is his choice. We are all responsible for ourselves.

[MissMillie]

16. While this is 100% true

It doesn't mean I have to enable him.

[Irish_Dem]

8. I don't keep any of that stuff in the house anymore.

If it is there, I will eat it.

I keep fresh and frozen fruit around when I want something sweet.

Once you stop eating baked goods and a lot of refined sugar, fruit
begins to taste amazingly sweet!

I eat mostly protein, fruits and veggies.
And I walk every day.

Of course I do indulge a bit on the holidays and my birthday.
But that is it.

I don't even think about baked goods any more.

After I fell about 5 years ago and had a number of broken bones,
I gained 25 lbs.

I lost it all and now weigh about 117.
And walk 4 to 6 miles per day.

[Diamond_Dog]

9. It is so hard when you have a sweet tooth.

If you wean yourself off of that stuff slowly, sometimes that works.

Myself I prefer to do without it altogether bc I can’t stand artificial sweeteners of any kind, even stevia, blech.

I find as I get older I have to limit just about any kind of carbs or the weight just piles on.

If Al is a typical man, once he stops eating that stuff I’ll bet his weight will drop right off. It’s harder for us women. Good luck Miss Millie.

[Trueblue Texan]

10. I have been having a lot of fun cooking plant-based these days...

I know it sounds like a radical shift, but I'm not vegan, just enjoying plant-based cooking. If it doesn't taste fabulous, I won't make it again. You might try a few recipes and see his response. One thing I've discovered is I was eating a lot of junk because I was hungry a lot. Now that I'm focusing more on plant based foods, I'm not as hungry and not tempted to stuff my face all the time. I still make sourdough bread every few weeks, but I don't even crave that anymore and I've lost 13 pounds. Just had my blood drawn last week and I'm waiting to hear the results on my lipid panel. I also needed to bring it down.

[Lonestarblue]

11. Try taking a short walk--20 to 30 minutes--to "earn" something sweet.

I try to use more fresh fruit with a small cookie for the sweet part instead of baked desserts. I also once did a no-extra-sugar challenge. After a few days, the sugar cravings decrease, and you really don’t miss it. Sort of like the Dry January idea for alcohol. I’ve read that it takes 3 to 6 weeks to change a habit, which can seem like a ling time when you’re fighting your existing habits! Good luck!

[flying_wahini]

12. My poor old Dad died at 62 of heart disease which he had from being brittle diabetic.

He said that the insulin made him CRAVE sweets. He also complained that he was hungry all the time.
The diet was the toughest part of the illness, and was thin as a stick.
You have to find something bulky and filling that will satisfy him.
It’s a very hard diet to be on, I think.



Rice cakes with sugar free jam?

[werdna]

13. I'm a heart patient as well -

- dietary changes are extremely difficult to make. I suggest not to make radical, sudden changes, but do so over time. Alter the amount of white flour by slowly introducing wheat flour and minute oats. Substitute apple sauce for oil/butter. Look for egg substitutes or at least eliminate the yolk. Also, eliminate cholesterol by eating vegetarian alternatives to your favorite animal products, this includes cheese.

Here's a couple links to get you started on your cooking adventures. Hope this helps:

https://recipes.heart.org/en/collections/courses/desserts

https://vegan.com/food/meat/

[elleng]

14. Sounds like a good idea, for you to keep the sweets out of YOUR house;

I'd be happy to accept some of them!

Gotta get coffee now, and pick up ice cream for after dinner. I get heartburn regularly, so have changed to decaf coffee, and less chocolate than usual (and less sweets; trying to determine what triggers the heartburn.)

Best to you and yours, MissMillie.

[BWdem4life]

15. Try your hand at this...

https://democraticunderground.com/1157128251

It will help satisfy the sugar cravings.