I just received my lipid panel results after 4 months of largely cutting out sugar and simple carbs (junk and processed food, soft drinks, rice, pasta, bread, desserts, etc.) and focusing on vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses, eggs. One reason I made the changes was to lose a bit of weight I didn't like and the other was to see if my triglycerides would get back to normal range from being borderline high for at least 30 years since college.
Results and experiences after 4 months:
- Triglycerides are indeed in the normal range, as many others eating lower carb find. Yay!
- Healthy cholesterol/HDL is in normal range.
- Other Cholesterols are borderline high, which is new and not what I was aiming for. I suspect this is due to eating more eggs, dairy and red meats. Doc is not worried but my search and adjustments for the right diet for me continues, probably by eating more fish and chicken and maybe trimming eggs and cheese.
- I lost 14 pounds pretty effortlessly and without increasing exercise, hitting my target weight. I also eat as much as I want and have never been hungry. In fact, I don't have the urge to snack as much, because of my substantial, filling meals. I am a light, social drinker and haven't really made any adjustments there. I love Guinness and it is recommended for lower carb eaters, as is dry white wines.
- I feel better, probably because of less junk food and blood sugars spiking all over. I had one gourmet donut last month and felt ill afterward for the rest of the day. My body is already less-tolerant of that kind of "food" now. In fact, it instantly pivoted to craving the healthy stuff, so it has not been a hard transition at all.
- I like some of the substitute foods I've learned about even better than the originals, as does my wife. For example, cauliflower rice is delicious. I also bought a food spiralizer at Target for $10, which makes various tasty vegetable approximations of noodles.
So that is one 51 year old male's experiences to date and I will continue eating this way. If interested, the place I learned the most is
https://www.verywell.com/low-carb-diets-4014695