A healthy diet can make a big difference in lowering your risk for heart disease. Diet advice is everywhere, but do you know how to pick foods that are heart healthy? The best food choices help control your risk factors, like your weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood glucose level. Not sure where to begin? Find out now.
The Basics for Heart-Healthy Eating
A heart healthy eating plan includes fresh, whole foods that are:
- Lower in fat
- Lower in cholesterol
- Lower in sodium
- Higher in fiber
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Heart-Healthy Fruits & Vegetables
- Fresh or without added salt, sugar, and fat
- Good source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants
- Lower in fat and calories
- Cholesterol free
Eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables each day.
- Contain fiber, B vitamins, and minerals
- Eating whole grains as part of a healthy diet may lower your risk of heart disease.
Always read food labels, and make sure the first ingredient is a whole grain.
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- Good source of protein, minerals, and soluble fiber
- Soluble fiber can help lower cholesterol
Beans come in many shapes and sizes, so add them to your soups, salads, and other dishes for a heart healthy kick.
Lean Beef or Pork, Poultry, & Fish
- Good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals
- Fish and poultry without skin are heart-healthy protein choices
- Bake, broil, or grill — don’t fry
- Low fat or fat-free dairy products without added sugar are heart-healthy choices
- Good source of potassium, which may help with blood pressure control
- Rich in calcium, vitamin D, and protein
Choose low-fat, fat-free, and 1 percent milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Fats & Oils
Not all fats and oils are the same, and it’s important to know the good from the bad.
- Liquid vegetable oils like canola, olive, peanut, safflower, and sesame
- Nuts and seeds
- Can help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and help to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke
Nuts and seeds are easy on-the-go snacks and a good source of protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Remember, nuts are also high in calories, so keep an eye on your serving size.
- Saturated fats, which should be limited in your diet, come from animal products and tropical oils, like:
- Fatty cuts of meat, poultry skin, butter
- Whole or 2 percent milk, cream, and cheese
- Coconut, palm kernel, and palm oils
- Hydrogenated fats contain trans fats, which should be avoided
Always check labels for the type and amount of fat in foods.
The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute ranks among the best in the United States for complete cardiovascular care. U.S. News & World Report lists UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside as one of the top hospitals nationally for cardiology and heart surgery. We treat all manners of heart and vein conditions, from the common to the most complex. We are creating new medical devices and cutting-edge treatments that may not be available at other hospitals. We also offer screenings, free clinics, and education events in the community.