Weight and heart health are often closely connected. This is because foods high in cholesterol or sodium can affect the flow of blood in your heart or your blood pressure. If you have been diagnosed with a heart condition or have undergone heart surgery, your physician may recommend a heart-healthy diet. Although the same diet may not work for every heart patient, there are some common dietary habits most heart patients should follow.
Cut Back on Sodium
Excess salt is a concern for heart patients because it affects your body's fluid content. Sodium attracts water, meaning a high sodium intake causes your body to retain more fluid. Then your heart has to work harder to pump the blood through your body. A heart patient should reduce sodium in his diet. Start by eating fresh foods whenever possible -- this include fresh vegetables, fruits and meats. Instead of cooking with salt and salt-containing seasonings, use herbs, spices, lemon juice or herbed vinegar. If you do choose pre-packaged foods, the food should have less than 350 mg of sodium per serving. Also, if sodium is listed as one of the first five ingredients, this can indicate the sodium levels are too high.
Limit Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that sticks to the inside of your arteries if you eat too much. Over time, the cholesterol can harden and contribute to heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Cholesterol is found in animal products, particularly fatty cuts of meat like liver and organ meats, salami, egg yolks, whole milk, cream, butter and cheeses made from whole milk. Instead of these foods, heart patients should eat lean protein sources, like skinless chicken, turkey, salmon, tuna and low-fat or skim dairy products.
Choose the Right Kind of Carbohydrates
Although diets like the Atkins diet have given carbohydrates a bad rap, not all carbohydrates are the same. Refined or simple carbohydrates -- like those in cookies, cakes and pies -- are quick to affect your blood sugar, causing blood sugar spikes and crashes. However, complex carbohydrates, such as whole-grain breads, fruits and vegetables, are digested more slowly, which keeps your body on a steadier track.
Prepare Food the Healthy Way
Just as important as what you eat is how you prepare it. When grilled or baked, chicken can be a healthy choice. When deep-fried or stuffed, chicken can be an unhealthy choice. A heart patient should avoid artery-clogging food preparation types like frying, sautéing, braising, basting or stuffing in favor of foods that are steamed, broiled, grill, baked or roasted. These preparations are lower in fat and calories, so less fats are put in circulation in your blood.
