Fluid retention is frequently a symptom of congestive heart failure (CHF) caused by high blood pressure. A low-sodium, heart-healthy diet is recommended to relieve symptoms of fluid retention in the setting of heart failure. Sodium intake per day for people with congestive heart failure is 1,500 mg or less per day, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Certain foods can be eaten to ease fluid retention and help to prevent further complications with congestive heart failure, but they may not be completely curative since CHF is typically a more complex problem than food alone.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are excellent foods to consume for CHF symptoms since they are loaded with nutrients and fiber and low in sodium if consumed in the freshest version possible. Vegetables which are canned should be rinsed off in a colander before cooking or consuming since a great deal of sodium is added to canned vegetables for preserving and processing. The American Heart Association recommends eight servings of fruits and vegetables each day for heart health. Examples of fruits and vegetables include apples, oranges, blueberries, strawberries, grapefruit, bananas, peaches, pears, spinach, squash, asparagus, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant and carrots to name only a few of the many choices.
Seasonings
Seasonings tend to be high in salt if they come in an already prepared mix of ingredients. Therefore, reading labels and ingredients is important. Seasonings for a diet for CHF should include fresh ingredients if possible, such as lemon juice, lime juice, fresh herbs, vinegar, juices and spices without salt. It is important to be mindful of dressings since they can be high in sodium as well.
Fresh Food
Fresh food can assist with curing fluid retention and CHF symptoms. Fresh food has undergone little or no processing, so the amount of sodium present is small. Beyond fruits and vegetables, beef, chicken and chicken eaten in unprocessed form will cut out much unnecessary sodium. This means limiting or cutting out processed and cured meats, such as hot dogs, salami and sausage. Cooking at home rather than eating out will increase the likelihood of eating fresher foods. Restaurants cook with more salt than you will at home.
