After I turned 31 this month, I realized I was overdue for my annual physical. I also realized that I haven’t had a physical since I started running or switched to a whole foods, plant based diet. It got me excited to see my numbers… had my cholesterol dropped? My glucose levels?
My health history – a high risk for diabetes: I have high cholesterol in my family, but in my personal health, glucose has always been a bigger issue. At my last physical before I got pregnant with Will, my physician told me I needed to stop eating more than a palm sized piece of bread in one sitting. “You mean I can’t have a SANDWICH?!” I exclaimed. She sighed the way I sigh when Will asks if he can stand on the kitchen counter, and explained that my elevated glucose levels put me at high risk for Type II Diabetes. If I wasn’t careful, bread restrictions would be the least of my worries. (Gluten, btw., wasn’t her concern – refined carbohydrates were.)
High risk? Type II Diabetes? I was 26 years old.
A few months later, I was happily pregnant with Will. I reluctantly gave up my glass of wine with dinner, replacing it with an evening ice cream. I deserved a little indulgence and needed the extra calories, right?
A failed glucose test – possible gestational diabetes: Towards the end of my second trimester, I received a phone call from my doctor telling me that I had failed my glucose test and they needed me to do a 3 hour fasting test to determine whether or not I had gestational diabetes. When I received the phone call, I was out with a friend for ice cream. (I can’t make this up.) I passed the 3 hour test by a narrow margin. I had eluded a diabetes diagnosis for the second time. (Related: my post about making sure your favorite stress relief is healthy!)
So blood tests make me a little nervous. I don’t really like being told I can’t eat things I love. But I realized that since I adopted a whole foods, plant-based diet, I eat very few of the unhealthy things that would be restricted. I eat carbs, but very rarely refined ones. I eat so little refined sugar it borders on socially awkward at holidays. (I worry that people think I’m concerned for my weight, really I just feel sick after I eat refined sugars and most cookies aren’t vegan.)
I’m exercising. I avoid processed foods 95% of the time. I don’t eat any cheese, milk, meat, eggs or fish, no animal products of any kind. I limit my refined oils to small amounts for cooking. What do I have to be afraid of?
As it turns out, I have nothing to worry about.
My cholesterol and glucose numbers are AMAZING. I compared the numbers to my last physical before I got pregnant with Will. I was 26 years old, eating a standard american diet, and walking occasionally for exercise. Now I’m 31, eating a whole foods, plant-based diet, and doing cardiovascular exercise (running or cycling) four times a week.
I’ve dropped my total cholesterol by 19 points. My “bad” cholesterol, LDL, has dropped by 33 points and my good cholesterol has increased by 10. My glucose levels? They’ve seriously benefited from the way I limit my refined carbs and sugars to a minimum. I’m down 16 points to near the bottom of the reference range at 76 points.
I still have some questions. How are my levels of B12? Should I be taking a supplement more regularly? What about my iron levels?
I’ve read enough about plant-based eating not to be concerned about my protein levels. Eating a variety of plant-based foods every day provides me with plenty of protein. But I’ll be excited to hear at my physical if there are any imbalances that I can address by incorporating plants that are rich in the vitamin or mineral I’m lacking.
Overall, I’m pretty excited. To be 5 years older and see my blood work coming back as healthier than ever is pretty validating!
I wish there were blood tests to calculate our cancer risk, the way cholesterol levels can predict our risk for heart disease. I know my risk in that category has also significantly decreased, and it would be fun to see the numbers.
My cholesterol and glucose levels are great, but it’s just as important to me that I have such a positive relationship with my food. When you eat nothing but real food that comes from plants, you stop feeling guilty or physically ill about anything you’re eating. I reach for seconds without hesitation. I eat until I’m full. I’ve lost weight, and lowered my risk for heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
It’s awesome, and trust me, real food tastes so good I don’t miss any of the processed stuff or animal products. I honestly, truly don’t.
Want to join me? You’re probably already a runner, and that’s great! Also check out these resources to incorporate plant-based meals into your lifestyle!
That’s awesome!
It’s great that your test results show that your health has improved!
Fabulous results!