These days “heart-healthy eating” has become a major catchphrase. While it’s a great idea for everyone to eat foods that benefit the body, especially the heart, those with heart disease and heart failure really need to pay close attention and change the way they configure their daily meals.

Learn the Heart Health Rules if you have experienced HF

Eat less salt.
Just as importantly, eat the right kind of salt. Ditch the iodized table salt and replace it with pink Himalayan salt. The reason is that pink salt also contains trace elements that your body needs. Cutting back on salt is sure to help, but eating the right salt also ads value to your meals. You will likely be given a mg value as to what your daily salt intake limit should be based on your health.  Make sure to follow that doctor given guide for the best outcome.

Watch out for cold cuts, cured meats, bread, rolls, pizza, soups, sandwiches, and chicken. All of these often have added salts you might not think of and they can easily add up and give you issues.

Additionally, try to limit all processed foods. They aren’t good for any organ in your body, the heart included!

Bring on the good stuff!

Heart-healthy eating isn’t all about restriction. What fun would that be? Part of heart health is happiness. Eating what we love makes us happy. Here is the “add more of” list to bring into your daily diet. These natural healthy selections are delicious and nutritious.

Eat Your Veggies: Dark green leafy vegetables as well as those that are red and orange in color; beans and peas

Fruits: Citrus, avocados, berries, apples, any fruit you love, go for it.

Whole grains: Drop the bleached processed flour and opt for whole grains like oats, rice, bran, and whole wheat.

Seafood: Add in oily fish such as trout, salmon, or herring a couple of times a week to boost your omega intake!

Seeds and Nuts: Walnuts, sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, brazil nuts – you name it. Each nut and seed has its own amazing heart-boosting nutritional properties.

Olive oil or Coconut Oil: Should replace solid fats like butter

Dairy: Choose low fat or no fat when possible

We know it can be confusing. That is why we have fully trained knowledgable nutritionists on staff at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates. Make your appointment today and schedule a consultation! 813-975-2800. You may also visit us on the web to learn more about our practice by going to www.tampacardio.com.