Congestive heart failure, or CHF, occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. A major lifestyle change to control heart failure includes varying dietary habits. Understand that heart failure is irreversible; however, changing dietary habits decreases symptoms and may keep the heart from further decline.
Low Sodium Diet
Avoid consuming large amounts of sodium and table salt. Sodium allows the body to retain water, which forces the heart to pump longer and harder. Feet and legs will also swell when high amounts of sodium are consumed. The Mayo Clinic advises people with CHF to consume 2,000 or less milligrams of sodium per day---the average person consumes 4,000 milligrams. Canned and commercially prepared foods already contain high levels of sodium, reminds The Mayo Clinic. Always read nutritional labels for sodium amounts to help calculate daily intake. Look for foods containing 350 milligrams of sodium per serving or less, recommends The University of California San Francisco Medical Center. Foods low in salt include fruits, vegetables, fresh meat, and plain pasta and rice. Instead of salt, use fresh herbs or lemon juice to season your food.
Low Fat, Low Cholesterol Diet
Avoid trans fats, saturated fat and foods high in cholesterol. Eating low fat food options decreases the risk for coronary artery disease. Opt for eating fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Prepare foods from scratch instead of eating out. The American Heart Association recommends using fat-free or one percent dairy products. Include whole grains and high fiber foods---these are heart healthy and often low in fat.
Fluid Intake
Decrease the amount of fluids consumed daily. Alcohol consumption should be severely restricted. Consuming alcohol weakens the heart muscle and causes abnormal heart rhythms. Drink between 1 and 2 liters of fluid daily. If thirsty, don't gulp water, rather take small sips. Alternatively, suck on ice chips or chew gum or candy to increase saliva in the mouth. The Mayo clinic recommends taking your weight daily---a weight gain of 3 pounds or more is a sign of fluid retention. Visit your doctor before further complications occur.
