If you or somebody you know has had a heart attack, you’ll want to know how to prevent any future complications and to keep on the road to recovery. Take a look at the following suggestions for healthy food and talk always with your doctor about which foods to eat and to avoid after a heart attack. Best heart-friendly foods to eat:
One way to start is to make a daily meal plan that emphasizes small portions of lean meats, fish, whole grains, and lots of fruits, depending in your taste. One of the most important recommendations is that at least half of your meal should contain a variety of vegetables.Fish is another good alternative and a key component of healthy diet, particularly oily fish that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids such as:
- Salmon
- Sardines
- Trout
- Herring
- Mackerel
Foods to avoid:
When you have had a heart attack or you want to change your lifestyle, it’s important to make changes to your diet to minimize other risks in the future. Don't fry or roast food in fat. Instead, prepare and cook your food using healthier methods and as a rule try to avoid these foods:- Fast food
- Fried food
- Boxed food
- Canned food (veggies and beans are the exceptions, as long as there’s no added salt)
- Candy
- Processed frozen meals
- Cookies and cake
- Ice cream
- Condiments such as mayonnaise, ketchup, and packaged dressing
- Red meat (enjoy in limited quantities only)
The American Heart Association (AHA) says that saturated fat should make up no more than 6 percent of your total daily caloric intake. This is especially crucial if you have high cholesterol. To control blood pressure, limit your daily sodium intake to 1,500 mg or less.
Do you want to learn more about Heart attack recovery: food to eats and to avoid? Visit our blog or resources page for information, caregiving tips and links to external community resources and services to assist individuals with heart attack recovery.
https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-health/food-eat-avoid#foods-to-avoid
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