Stimulants

[liona]

Hi Folks,

I am questioning whether I should even try to live without any stimulants whatsoever. I am diabetic, therefore I Never have alcohol or sweets. My bladder is sensitive to caffeine, and I never have it---- With the heart condition, I avoid anything like chips or salty treats. I am lactose intolerant--no cheese or yogurt.

The one stimulant I allow myself is chocolate. The caffeine in solid form does not affect the bladder. I try to buy extra dark semi-sweet chocolate, which means less sugar and fat per unit. I must admit, I eat too much of it, but I wonder if it is even realistic to ask myself to live entirely without any stimulating intake of any sort.

It seems like an improper action, but with so many restrictions----well, there's only so much I can do. I feel tired and need some kind of help to pick up my energy.

Oh well! It is so easy for the Doctors to pile on these restrictions, but it is another thing to live with them. I try to limit my intake of chocolate, but once I get started, I seem to have a hard time stopping.

[Reenie]

Re: Stimulants

Liona, I think that if you eat it in moderation and it doesn't affect your heart rhythm or diatetes, then you should be fine. Just try to set aside a small amount that you allow yourself on any given day.

Reenie

[Burton Borrok]

Re: Stimulants

Liona,
Let me tell you of my food restrictions;
I have Familial Hyperlipidemia – all fats and fatty foods are restricted.
I have a bad kidney condition – all proteins are severely restricted
I have Diabetes (I currently take pills and 210 to 225 units of insulin a day) – All carbohydrates are strictly limited.

Also because of the diabetes I am supposed to eat four to five small meals a day, plus snacks, but I am supposed to limit the caloric content so I don’t put on weight. With the above, plus HCM, you can add twelve other ailments – plus lately, frequent headaches (four to five a day), a severe water problem, and etc, etc.

Each specialist had their own diet I was to follow, which conflicted with every other specialist’s diet. I got so confused I went to a special requirements dietitian and we worked out a diet which she admitted was unlivable, but I was to try to get as close to it as possible. At last all the specialist’s agreed – I was under no circumstances to follow the plan from the special needs dietitian.

I now eat relatively normal meals, but I do try to not insult one malady more then the others. I lean more heavily on salads, and haven’t touched a salt shaker in almost twenty years, and I also strictly limit egg yolks – although I do have one from time to time.

Reenie has the right idea. You do what you have to do, and cheat a little when it makes you happy. Just try to limit the amount of cheating you do – you actually enjoy it more that way anyhow. You just have to apply a little thought and live a rational life.
Burt

[Laoshur]

Re: Stimulants

Liona,

One hint that I had from someone was to only suck on chocolate. That way it lasts a long time and the flavor stays with you so you don't keep eating it. I can't say I have had a lot of luck with doing that, but it is a good idea.

Rhoda

[liona]

Re: Stimulants

Thank you for that suggestion to suck chocolate. I'll let you know if I manage to cut my chocolate intake by using it---------

[Eileen2345]

Re: Stimulants

I have HOCM and I cannot have any stimulants of any kind. No caffeine, no chocolate (I miss that alot especailly during the holidays ), no tea, no green tea, no coke, no pepsi, nothing.... and I do not drink alcohol or smoke. If I have or do any of these, I have more heart problems like arrhythmias, PVCs and non-sustained V-tach.

Eileen

[liona]

Re: Stimulants

No green tea????? I hope you can drink some form of herbal tea. I sometimes have diet, caffeine-free Pepsi, but not often.