At Matthews Internal Medicine, we focus on preventative medicine. We don’t just want to help treat diseases. We want to help our patients avoid them in the first place. One ailment we want you to avoid is heart disease. This is one of the leading causes of death in this country.
It’s one of the reasons why we want you to come in for your physical each year, so that we can notice the signs early. It’s also another reason why we help our patients with weight management programs if needed. Your diet plays a big factor in the development of heart disease, and knowing the connections between certain foods and heart can really help you.
Some foods are bad for your heart and some foods can aid in heart disease prevention. Here’s a look at ones that fall on either end of that spectrum.
Grain Products
Many whole grain products, like bread, brown rice, or whole grain pasta can be good for heart health. Starting your day with oatmeal can also be a delicious part of a heart disease prevention plan. Another smart breakfast option is high-fiber cereal.
On the other hand, buttery biscuits, doughnuts, frozen waffles, and other kinds of processed grain products should be avoided. Buttered popcorn and certain crackers should also be limited to occasional treats. As for cake and pie, be careful with these around holidays or birthdays and don’t overdo it.
Proteins
You need protein in your diet, but some sources are better for your heart than others. Eggs, fish, soybeans, and poultry can all be healthy when prepared correctly. You might want to avoid fatty meats, bacon, hot dogs, and sausages though. Frying or breading meat isn’t recommended either.
Fruits
Some fruits are good for your heart while others should be taken in limited doses. Frozen fruit products with added sugar are generally not heart-healthy, while canned fruit offers the nutrients you need without extras that you don’t need. Just make sure that your fruit is not packed in heavy syrup.
Vegetables
Many fresh or frozen vegetables are good for your heart, but there are some exceptions. In your grocer’s freezer section you’ll see veggies in creamy sauces. Thanks to added sodium, you may want to avoid those if you’re focused on heart disease prevention. You may also want to avoid fried or breaded vegetables. They may be delicious, but they’re offering some extra calories and sodium that you probably don’t need.
Fats
Some fats are actually not bad for you. Cooking with olive oil and certain types of margarine can actually be beneficial. On the other hand, adding butter, gravy, or cream sauce to your food doesn’t promote good heart health.
Sodium
Lowering sodium is an important step for patients concerned with heart disease. Avoid certain types of canned soups and frozen dinners. These can come packed with a surprising amount of salt. Also choose your condiments carefully, as many are full of sodium. Keeping these diet tips in mind can aid in your heart disease prevention efforts.