Scrutinize the snacks you eat. Instead of snacking on salted foods like chips, pretzels, or nuts, try substituting an apple, banana, carrot or green pepper. Look for canned foods that are not preserved with salt or have low-sodium written on the packaging. Drastically reduce the amount of salt you add to recipes when cooking, or stop adding salt entirely. Instead, season with other spices as appropriate such as cinnamon, paprika, parsley and oregano, for example. Take the salt shaker off the table to remind yourself not to add any later.
Eating oatmeal or grits for breakfast. Top it off with some fresh fruit or raisins to add some sweetness. Checking on the packaging of breads to see if they are whole-grain. Purchasing whole-grain pasta and flour instead of white.
Starting your meal with a salad. By eating a salad at the start, you can take the edge off your hunger when you are the most hungry. Don’t wait until the end to eat your salad — then you will already be full and you will be unlikely to eat as much of it. Keep your salads interesting by adding different fruits and vegetables to them. Use salted nuts, cheese, and salad dressings sparingly because they are usually high in salt. Use oil and vinegar instead for dressing that is naturally low in sodium. Keep prepared fruits and veggies on hand for a quick snack. Bring carrot sticks, green pepper slices, or an apple with you to work or school.
Dairy products like milk and cheese provide calcium and vitamin D, but they often contain a high amount of fat and salt. Choose low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheeses. Cheeses should also be low-salt. [6] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Eat lean poultry and fish instead of red meats. If your meat has fat around the edges, trim it off. Eat no more than six ounces of meat per day. You can also make meats healthier by baking, grilling, or roasting instead of frying them. [7] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Cut down on the amount of extra fats you consume. This includes butter and mayonnaise on a sandwich, cooking with heavy cream, or solid shortenings, such as butter or Crisco. A tablespoon is a serving. Aim for three servings or less per day. [8] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Artificial sweeteners like Splenda, NutraSweet, and Equal, can help satisfy a craving, but try to learn to substitute sweet snacks with healthier alternatives like fruits and vegetables.
Talking to your doctor to develop a treatment plan that will work for you. Getting social support from hotlines, support groups, or an addictions counselor. [11] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Trying medications or nicotine replacement therapies.
In addition, if your doctor has advised you to lose weight, alcoholic drinks are high in calories and will make it difficult to get your weight down If you need help quitting drinking, talk to your doctor about getting medical treatment and support. Your doctor may be able to suggest treatments, support groups, and counseling services to help you.
Meditation Music or art therapy Deep breathing Visualizing calming images Progressively tensing and relaxing each muscle group in your body
Walking daily is safe exercise after many types of surgery, so check with your doctor if it is appropriate after your surgery, and when you can start this. Consult your doctor and a physical therapist to create an exercise program that will be safe for you. Be sure to attend all follow-up appointments with both your doctor and physical therapist so they can verify that the exercise is continuing to be beneficial for you.
Shortness of breath Headaches Nosebleeds Blurred vision or seeing double
ACE inhibitors. These medications work by causing your blood vessels to relax. These in particular can interact with a lot of medications, so make sure you are communicating with your doctor about everything you are taking. Calcium channel blockers. These medications widen your arteries and may lower your heart rate. Be aware that you cannot drink grapefruit juice while taking these medications. Diuretics. These medications cause you to urinate more frequently and lower your salt levels. Beta-blockers. These medications make your heart beat more slowly and softer.
Over-the-counter pain medications. This includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen and others). Consult your doctor before using these medications to deal with pain during your recovery. Certain birth control pills Various decongestants and cold medications, especially those containing pseudoephedrine
