A heart healthy diet is a good nutrition plan regardless of your condition, but is particularly important if you have a history of heart problems or have had heart surgery. By increasing some nutrients and limiting others, following a heart healthy diet can lower your risk of further cardiac complications. A registered dietitian can help you plan a diet specific to your needs and might even visit you during your hospital stay.
Fats: Good and Bad
Everyone needs some fat in their diets, but the type and quantity differ. Unsaturated fats are generally healthy fats that can help lower the bad, or LDL, cholesterol, and are found in plant products such as nuts, seeds and avocados. Saturated and trans fats are the unhealthy fats that can increase total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, and lower the good, or HDL, cholesterol. Saturated fats generally come from animal products such as butter, meats, whole milk and cream, cheese and shortening. Trans fats also are sometimes called hydrogenated oils and are usually found in prepackaged foods and margarine. Because a small amount of trans fats are allowed in a food without having to be listed on the nutrient label, check the ingredient list for words like "hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated," which imply that the food contains some trans fats. Choose cooking techniques that require little or no fat, such as grilling, baking, broiling and steaming.
Skip the Salt
For people with blood pressure problems, eating foods high in sodium or using extra salt to season foods can aggravate the condition. In addition, high sodium diets can increase your risk of developing a stroke or complications with heart disease. If you are experiencing fluid retention, some physicians also might restrict fluid intake in conjunction with a low-sodium diet for certain heart conditions. In addition to removing the salt shaker from the table, limit processed foods, meats, canned products and some frozen meals, all of which tend to be high in salt. Look for foods labeled "low-sodium" or "no sodium" and switch to a sodium-free spice mix to season your foods.
High Fiber
High-fiber foods not only help create the sensation of fullness, which in turn can decrease the quantity of food eaten during the day, but also can help lower cholesterol. To increase fiber in your diet, choose whole grain breads and cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables and beans.
Get Active
Although not specifically a part of the diet, physical activity in conjunction with a heart-healthy eating plan is crucial after surgery. Once you are given clearance by your doctor, start increasing your physical activity. Exercise can help lower total cholesterol, improve blood pressure and keep off excess weight.
