Managing eating habits is a really important part of caring for your heart. A heart-healthy diet can help reduce strain on your heart and support overall wellbeing.
Here are some key eating habits to focus on:
- Eat more of: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, fish, and lean proteins
- Limit or avoid: saturated Show Full Answer
Managing eating habits is a really important part of caring for your heart. A heart-healthy diet can help reduce strain on your heart and support overall wellbeing.
Here are some key eating habits to focus on:
- Eat more of: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, fish, and lean proteins
- Limit or avoid: saturated and trans fats, fried foods, added sugars, and high-sodium foods
- Watch portions: how much you eat can be just as important as what you eat
A Mediterranean-style diet is often recommended for heart health — it focuses on fresh produce, whole grains, fish, and healthy fats. Some practical tips to build better habits:
- Keep a food diary to track sodium, fat, and fluid intake
- Read nutrition labels carefully when shopping
- Plan meals ahead and prep ingredients in advance
- Use herbs and spices instead of salt for flavor
- When eating out, look up menus in advance and swap sides like chips for salad
As one MyHeartDiseaseTeam member shared, reading labels changed everything: *"Some things I put back on the shelf after reading the labels."*
It's always a good idea to ask your doctor for a referral to a dietitian who can create a plan tailored specifically to your heart health needs.
September 10
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