More than 26 million American adults had diagnosed heart disease as of 2009, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although not always preventable, eating a healthy diet may help you keep your heart in good condition. Ask your doctor if she recommends eating 1,800 heart-healthy calories each day to achieve a healthy weight and keep your heart in the best shape possible.
Significance
Heart disease often occurs when your arteries become clogged with fatty deposits and cholesterol. This causes your heart's blood flow to become slower, or even stop. When your blood flow is impaired, you may experience pain, have a heart attack or feel short of breath, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Your doctor may recommend a reduced calorie, low-cholesterol, low-fat and low-sodium diet to help you achieve a healthy weight, lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of further or new heart disease.
Identification
In addition to eating only 1,800 calories a day, a cardiac diet is generally low in cholesterol, fat and sodium. An 1,800 calorie diet is below the number of calories necessary for a moderately active woman under the age of 50 to maintain her weight. Eating 1,800 calories may help a man of any age or activity lose weight. The National Institutes of Health recommends limiting your cholesterol to 200 g and eating no more than 7 percent of your diet from saturated fats. The American Heart Association advises limiting your sodium intake to a maximum 1,500 mg per day. Additionally, eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, two servings of salmon or herring a week and a minimum of 3 oz. of whole-grain choices each day.
Calories and Food Choices
Eating 1,800 allows you enough calories to eat 350 calories at breakfast, 400 to 500 calories for lunch, 250 snack calories and up to 700 calories for dinner. All fresh, canned or frozen fruits in their own juices are healthy choices. Avoid syrupy frozen berries or sugared fruit trays. Leafy greens from romaine to mustard greens are low in calories, yet filling. Chop your favorite raw vegetables to eat on salads or as snacks. Read the nutrition label on rolls, pitas, muffins and sliced bread to find ones made with 100 percent whole wheat. In addition to oily fish, eat leaner protein meats and beans. Although you need three cups of milk products when following an 1,800 calorie diet, choose only the fat-free or reduced fat versions.
Foods to Limit or Avoid
Fried foods, highly processed foods and many restaurant meals contain too many calories and sodium to be a regular feature of your 1,800 calorie diet. High intakes of sodium may increase your blood pressure, raising your incidence of heart disease. Avoid the trans fats found in many processed foods, instead reserving your fat intake for heart healthier monounsaturated, omega-3 fatty acids and polyunsaturated fats found in nuts, seeds, some fish, olive oil and avocados. Avoid fast food when possible. The National Institutes of Health states that it can be difficult to eat healthy foods at fast food restaurants, particularly if you suffer from heart disease, diabetes and increased blood pressure.
Considerations
Follow your doctor's advice on the diet. Ask if exercise is an appropriate addition to your reduced calorie cardiac diet. The American Council on Exercise states that regular exercise often helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels when combined with dietary changes. Once you reach or are able to maintain your goal weight, continue eating a diet low in fat, cholesterol and sodium as part of your healthy lifestyle.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Heart Disease
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Coronary Heart Disease Explained
- National Institutes of Health: High Blood Cholesterol: What You Need to Know
- American Heart Association: Healthy Diet Goals
- MayoClinic.com: Dietary Fats: Know Which Types to Choose
- National Institutes of Health: Fast Food Tips
