How Can I Best Care for the Body I've Been Blessed With? Do You Have Issues with High Cholesterol?

Nourish with purpose—fuel your body, feed your joy.

Disclaimer: This is my personal testimony on how I changed my eating habits to significantly lower my cholesterol—enough to avoid medication, at least for now.

As a woman with a long family history of heart issues, high cholesterol, and other health concerns, I’ve learned a lot through observation. I watched both my parents pass away from cancer and heart disease, and that loss stirred something in me. In my mid-thirties, I began reflecting on how I could honor their memory—and honor the temple God has given me in my body. My goal wasn’t restriction, but gratitude: to move, eat, and live in a way that supports the body I’ve been blessed with, trusting that God alone knows His plan for how I age.

I’ve always exercised my mind and body—reading, running, walking, kayaking—and kept an eye on sweets. But I didn’t put much effort into my eating habits until I hit 58. That’s when I had a wake-up call: if I didn’t make changes, I’d need cholesterol medication, which personally left me feeling fatigued and depleted. I lost the energy to do the very things I loved. So, I said no to the prescription and began researching foods and lifestyle changes that could help. I was fully prepared to take medication if my efforts didn’t work. I simply wanted to give diet changes a REAL TRY!

After a year, my lipid panel showed improvement. I stayed the course, and by year two, my cholesterol was back in a healthy range. My doctor sent me an encouraging note to keep up the good work, and we’ll continue to monitor it annually. So, what did I do? Here’s the list—just remember, always check with your doctor to see what’s right for you.

My Nutrition Shifts:

• I removed most dairy. I use almond milk creamers in coffee, almond milk on cereal, and butter with avocado oil. I still enjoy cheese occasionally—reduced-fat varieties—but it’s no longer a daily staple.

• I eat red meat once or twice a week, opting more often for fish, chicken, turkey, or meat-free meals. Beans are a favorite!

• I added heart-healthy mixed nuts to my diet, which help improve HDL (good cholesterol).

• I eat lots of salads—romaine, spinach, greens—packed with veggies like carrots, red onion, peppers, cucumbers, and celery. I often enjoy them meat-free or topped with chicken or tuna. My body genuinely craves these now.

• I eat a bowl of oatmeal every morning with almond milk.

• I switched to oat bread instead of white or wheat.

• I limit sweets and only eat chips made with potatoes, avocado oil, and sea salt.

• I check labels for fats and opt for food choices with the good fats and not the bad fats that contribute to high cholesterol

  
  

After 24 months of these changes, I feel better physically—less bloating, less indigestion. As we age, our bodies process food more slowly, so small meals throughout the day help too.

All this to say: an encouragement not to wait until you’re 58 to make changes if high cholesterol runs in your family. And I pass no judgment on anyone who chooses medication or eats differently. This post is simply to encourage those looking for non-medication solutions. You can eat well, feel fulfilled, and still enjoy pizza, lasagna, or a good steak—just in moderation, not overindulgence.

Our bodies are a gift from our Creator—a temple. Feed them well.

With grace and gratitude,

Cindy

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