Heart Healthy Nutrition Program Questions and Answers

Everything we eat or drink has an impact on our health, and can influence several risk factors for heart diseases, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and diabetes. In order to attain, and maintain, good heart health, it is essential to eat a diet with a variety of fresh and unprocessed foods, as well as a diet low in unhealthy fats, salt and added sugar, and rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats. Five principles have been developed to help individuals make healthier choices, which include:

– Eat plenty of vegetables, fruit and whole grains: Some of the best foods for the heart are fruit and vegetables, but many Americans say that they do not eat anywhere near the recommended amount. These foods have been shown to help prevent heart disease and contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber and antioxidants. Whole grains are full of fiber and can help lower cholesterol levels.

– Include a variety of healthy protein-rich foods: Some protein-rich foods are better choices than others, such as beans, chickpeas, lentils, nuts and seeds, as well as fish and seafood.

– Choose unflavored milk, yogurt and cheese: Unflavored versions of dairy products with no added sugar are the healthiest options, especially for those at higher risk of heart disease or high cholesterol.

– Include healthy fats and oils: Fats and oils play an important role in the risk of developing heart disease and can either reduce or increase the risk of heart disease. It is essential to always choose healthy fats like unsaturated fats, and avoid unhealthy fats like trans fats and saturated fats.

– Use herbs and spices to flavor foods: Instead of using salt, it is much healthier to use spices and herbs to give food that extra flavor. Eating too much salt can increase the risk for heart disease, such as high blood pressure.

A heart healthy diet is the best way to prevent a number of common heart conditions and to protect the heart from disease. It commonly includes foods from a variety of food groups, including fruits, vegetables, lean protein, nuts, low-fat dairy, legumes, vegetable-based oils and whole grains. Foods to be limited include those that are high in calories but low in nutrients, like sugary drinks, baked goods like cake and donuts, highly processed foods and junk foods like candies and chips.

Nutrients to limit include:

– Saturated and trans fats
– Sodium
– Added sugar and alcohol

Foods to include:

– Whole grains
– Fatty fish
– Fruits
– Uncooked vegetables

If you live in or around Buffalo, NY, and are looking to improve the health of your heart through diet, come to Sterling Heart Care! We specialize in heart healthy nutrition and can help you make the right choices to improve your heart health!

Call us today, book an appointment online, or visit our clinic conveniently located at 4330 Maple Road, Buffalo, NY 14226. We look forward to serving you! We serve patients from Buffalo NY, Pine Hill NY, Sloan NY, Kenmore NY, Cleveland Hill NY, and Kaisertown NY.

The heart is a vital organ, responsible for pumping highly oxygenated blood throughout the body. It is revered as one of the most essential organs for human life, and represents love and compassion. Although the heart is not responsible for emotions or other feelings, it can physically ache when a person is in distress. It is incredibly important to have good heart health, and one of the most essential ways to ensure this is through proper diet and exercise. Nutrition plays a large role in heart health and has a profound impact on its function.