In today’s scenario, it is very important to take good care of your cardiovascular health. The first step towards this goal is to maintain a heart healthy diet, which reduces the risk of heart disease. It is vital to note that what we eat plays a very important role when it comes to our heart health. Let’s find out more about what foods we should add to our diet and what we should avoid in order to have a healthy heart.
We all know that heart diseases are the leading cause of mortality all over the world, and the only way to reduce heart related problems like hypertension, high cholesterol levels, etc is by following a balanced and nutritious diet. When you make the right food choices for your heart, you will certainly minimize the risk of heart problems.
What All Does The Heart Healthy Diet Include?
Features
Fruits and Vegetables
It is very important to add fruits and vegetables to your diet. They are packed with vitamins and minerals that promote good heart health. Some of the fruits and vegetables that you should definitely add to your diet are tomatoes, bell peppers, berries, etc.
Whole Grains
They are the best sources of fiber, reduce cholesterol levels, and improve heart health. Items such as oats, barley, brown rice, quinoa, etc should be added to your heart healthy diet as they have a lot of nutritional benefits.
Healthy Fats
It is very important to add healthy fats to your diet, such as nuts, seeds, and avocados, to reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease. The fats that are present in processed and fried foods are saturated and trans fats and should be limited.
Lean Protein
Instead of saturated items, you should opt for items with lean protein, such as fish, beans, lentils, tofu, and other low-fat dairy products. These are very low in cholesterol, and that is why they are very good choices to add to your diet.
Legumes
They are very rich in fiber, proteins, and other nutrients and support heart health. Beans, chickpeas, lentils, and other legumes improve blood sugar control as well, which is why adding them to a heart-healthy diet is always a good option.
Some Of The Food Items To Include
Olive Oil
It is part of the Mediterranean diet and is mostly used in all cuisines these days because of its benefits. It is rich in monounsaturated fats and is used for cooking, salad dressings, etc.
Fatty Fish
Fish like salmon and trout are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and have previously been shown to reduce the risk of heart related problems and stroke.
Nuts and Seeds
It is vital that you add certain nuts and seeds to your diet, like flaxseeds, hemp seeds, almonds, walnuts, and chia seeds. You can eat them as a snack or add them to your salad bowls.
Berries
We know that berries like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, etc are packed with fiber and antioxidants. Blend them into a smoothie to eat them fresh, they taste delicious.
Foods To Avoid Or Limit
Sugary Beverages
Drinks like soda, energy drinks, fruit juices, teas, etc are loaded with added sugars and calories, which leads to weight gain. Instead, it is better that you choose water or herbal teas.
Processed Food Items
Food items like fast food, packaged food, and frozen meals are very unhealthy as they have fat and more sodium, which is bad for your heart. Opt for fresh meals.
Saturated and Trans Fat
There are certain food items that are rich in saturated and trans-fat such as fatty meat, full fat dairy food items, butter, etc. They increase cholesterol levels and are not good for your heart.
All in all, the best that you could do for your heart is to include food items that are good for your heart health. Adding a lot of fruits, vegetables, legumes, beans, and nuts to your diet leads to a happy and healthy diet.
