The first step in a heart-healthier lifestyle is a
heart-healthy diet. Here are some
guidelines to help you plan and personalize your diet:
1. Calories count.
Being overweight is one of the primary risk factors for heart disease, so be sure
your calorie intake is appropriate to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
2. Eat plenty of fiber.
A high fiber diet will help you control your weight by
controlling your appetite and also can help you maintain healthy cholesterol
levels. 25grams of fiber per day is the recommended minimum. Ideally,
aim for 35-40 grams of fiber per day.
3. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
Fruits and vegetables contain fiber but also are
rich in antioxidant nutrients that help protect your heart. Eat at least five servings of colorful
vegetables such as carrots, berries, peppers, and broccoli to get a minimum
of 100% of the daily recommended amounts
of vitamin A, C, K.
4. Emphasize healthy fats.
A heart-healthy diet doesn't necessarily need to be a
low-fat diet. A diet rich in monounsaturated fats can help lower cholesterol,
blood pressure, and other risk factors. Monounsaturated fats are olive oil, avocadoes, and nuts such as
almonds. Use these as your primary
sources of fat.
5. Watch your sodium.
A diet high in sodium can lead to high blood pressure. It is recommended to limit your sodium intake to 2300mg per day. Those with high blood pressure are advised
to reduce sodium to 1500mg a day.
6. Limit your intake of sweets and refined carbohydrates.
Foods that are high in sugar and refined carbohydrates which includes many low-fat foods can create sharp spikes in blood sugar and
ultimately increase your risk of both heart disease and diabetes. Choose whole
grain foods whenever possible and consume sweets occasionally or not at
all. For a naturally sweet treat, enjoy
fresh fruit.