 |
| Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay |
A New Year. What challenges and blessings will we encounter? Only God knows.
However, it seems my new year is starting with a mixture already. I’ve been diagnosed with moderate chronic kidney disease. Oh, fun! Thankfully,
diet, exercise, and medication changes can stop the progression. So that’s good
news.
The diet makeover my doctor and the National Kidney
Foundation recommend is The Dash Diet. It’s great for high blood pressure, kidneys, and diabetes, and is overall a good healthy lifestyle.
I knew I needed to make dietary changes for some time but
couldn’t stay motivated. Well, guess what? I’m motivated now.
I never liked much salt, but I’m amazed at how much sodium occurs
naturally in so many foods, like honeydew. Never thought a melon would have
sodium. Now, that I'm restricted to 1500 mg or less, I’m also thankful for so many no sodium added and low sodium options.
The DaVita Kidney website also gave me lists of low sodium restaurant options so my
husband and I can still enjoy dining out without jeopardizing my diet.
To keep my sanity and to help navigate this minefield of
options, I’m especially thankful for the MyNetDiary app. It has The Dash Diet
percentages options in their premium diet plans, and it does all the math for
me. I can import recipes and tweak old ones and the app figures out the
calories¸ fats, carbs, and sodium per serving. Same for canned, frozen, and
packaged foods and restaurant meals. The bar code reader is an added bonus,
cutting down on even more math and data input. My job is to be sure I’m eating
the same amounts as the app suggests. Thank goodness for a food scale and measuring
spoons!
The other surprise, I’m not hungry on this diet, nor do I
feel deprived. Then, my motivation may have a big part in that. 😉
Rainbows are already showing up, symbols God has used in the
past to encourage me during serious health issues. They have preceded cures
from blood poisoning to breast cancer. I only need to follow my health care professionals’
advice and leave the rest in God's hands.
As for the rest of the year, I expect other challenges, but they
will be mixed with blessings, just like this one. Isn’t that life? One thing I can be sure of, with
God, all things work toward my good.
How has your new year started out so far?
Technology is awesome when it's helpful like that! The hubster had yesterday and today off, and the weather is nice. Yesterday we took a long afternoon walk together. Today we went for a jog. It was nice to chat and move. Back to our normal schedule tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice day here too and hubby and I also took a walk with Cooper. Nice to get outside and move around. I'm glad you two had some extra time together and could get out an enjoy things you like. Sounds like your new year is off to a good start.
Delete