11 Foods To Avoid With Heart Disease

Heart disease is a widespread problem for adults – and diet has a big impact. Below we review which foods to avoid with heart disease.

About half of adults in the U.S. suffer from at least one disease that increases the risk of heart disease. Conditions like high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and diabetes can all lead to heart disease. 

However, lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking excessive alcohol, eating unhealthy foods, and not staying physically active can also lead to heart disease.

The following are some of the foods to avoid if you have a high chance of heart disease.

Foods to Avoid

The foods that you consume should help you control your cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight. To maintain healthy levels of those, avoid foods high in trans and saturated fats, as well as high-sodium foods. These include:

• Butter and margarine
• Non-dairy creamers
• Fried foods, like fried chicken
• Processed meats
• Pastries, like pies
• Certain cuts of meat
• Junk foods, like cookies and ice cream
• Condiments and sauces, like mayonnaise and gravy
• Table salt
• Pre-packaged meals, which have high levels of sodium
• And restaurant menu items, which are much higher in calories than homemade foods

Tips for A Healthier Diet

While a healthy diet won’t cure heart disease, it can help improve your heart health and symptoms of any heart-related conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

First, eat lots of fruits and vegetables. These are easy to prepare, come with lots of nutrients, and are high in fiber.

Second, be mindful of meal portions. Obesity increases your chances of heart disease. By maintaining a healthy weight, you can keep heart disease at bay.

Third, choose herbs over sodium-filled seasonings. A mix of salt-free or low-sodium seasonings can help make food tastier without the excess salt. When buying canned meats and vegetables, choose low-salt or reduced-sodium options.

Fourth, read all food labels. By getting accustomed to reading food labels, you become aware of which foods are healthy. Avoid saturated and trans fats, high sugar, and high-sodium foods.

Last, consider adding supplements. Many people don’t get the necessary nutrients from food alone. If you have high blood pressure, adding supplements like L-arginine Plus can help improve circulation, open up blood vessels, and support healthy blood pressure.

The Outlook

Heart disease kills approximately 1 in 4 Americans each year. By taking steps to control your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, you can decrease your chances of heart disease.

Although there is no cure, taking medication and making healthy lifestyle choices can improve your quality of life. A healthy diet is one of the best ways to improve your health.

Not sure which supplements to include in your diet? Check out the five best heart health supplements on the market today. From supporting your blood pressure, cholesterol, circulation, and stamina, these five supplements offer real results for real people.