Healthy Hazard

Like most stroke survivors, I take tablets to keep my blood pressure stable. That's why I'm a survivor.

I also like to eat sparingly, but when I eat, I like to eat good quality, healthy food. That means, for instance, I love a steak. That doesn't mean an 8 or 16 ouncer (I wish) It means it 4 oz or less of something nice and expensive I really like. Keeps me happy and keeps the cost down.

The reason I mention something chunky and meaty, is that it isn't the first thing that springs to mind as healthy eating - particularly if you're keeping your cholesterol down. But I'm human, not a rabbit. Don't get wrong, I love veg.

Your body needs cholesterol. It's produced naturally by the body and broken down into oestrogen and testosterone. Both hormones are required by both sexes - the degree depending upon whether you're male or female. The trick is to eat foods in amounts that produce only what you need. So forget the rubbish on the adverts about avoiding it. You need it. It's just by how much. My cholesterol has been a steady 4 to 5 for years, which just goes to show a little of what you fancy does you good.

Salt. The last thing you need if you tend to high blood pressure, right? Wrong.

Even more important if you take blood pressure medication. You should not exclude it from your diet if you eat fresh, home cooked food, as opposed to lots of ready meals or tinned stuff.

I'm used to having a bit of difficulty walking, aches and pains. Almost 'Flu like. But when I started getting dizzy, it was bad news. I wobble enough as it is. Then there was the night cramps. I had used something called 'Lo-Salt', but more often than not, I just didn't use salt.

I mentioned it to an elderly friend, who said he'd had the same thing. He'd found that if he walked any distance, he's have to stop and rest because he was 'cramped' His GP had told him that Lo-Salt (which is 1/3 rd salt) was fine, but no-salt wasn't an option. He was asked to put a pinch of sea salt into his cooking.

I've tried that. And its worked. No more cramps, no more night cramps, no more dizziness.

So I guess my advice would be a little of what you fancy does you good, and a lot of healthy eating advice should be taken with a pinch.