Most people who had been informed that they have heart ailments had this first thought: “I cannot eat normal food now.”
It depends on what is ‘normal’ food for you. You might be surprised when you learn that you could still eat any food you want as long as you also eat the food that your heart ‘need.’
You can prevent the development of atherosclerosis, or the blocking of the arteries, by eating heart-healthy food. If you had a heart attack or had undergone surgeries like bypass, angioplasty, and carotid, feeding your heart a strict diet will do you a world of good.
Heart-healthy foods remove some of the risks involved in heart-related diseases. Proper nutrition reduces the total of LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, lowers blood sugar, and trims down excess body weight.
Most dietary plan just tells you what you cannot eat. A heart-healthy diet strategy put emphasis on adding the kind of food that you must eat.
Healthy foods that help strengthen your heart:
1. Fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
2. Fish has omega-3 fatty acids, protein and many nutrients.
3. Other sources of protein are fish and vegetables like soya. A variety of protein-rich foods that should be eaten in balanced amount and frequency. Meat and dairy products can increase heart disease risk so these must be eaten in small amount.
4. Minimal consumption of fats, both saturated and trans, found in the following: snack foods, sweets, desserts, butter, margarine, salad dressing, and fried foods.
5. Cook with monounsaturated fats from: olive oil and peanut oil.
6. Eat energy-booster carbohydrates: whole wheat pasta, sweet potatoes, whole grain breads.
Healthful tips which are good for your heart:
1. Avoid oily and fatty foods. Control salt intake.
2. Limit yourself on soft drinks, soda, sugar, and sweets like ice cream and cake.
3. Never skip meals. Eat small servings frequently to regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
4. Exercise regularly but in moderation. Physical activities increase HDL ‘good’ cholesterol.
5. Drink enough water.
6. Savor your food. Chew slowly. You will feel full after eating so you will not feel deprived by following the diet.
