Pages

Friday, May 31, 2013

Diet Recommended for Heart Patients

The trauma of experiencing any type of heart illness can make a lifelong impression. With the added weight of taking responsibility for your health, you can become overwhelmed, reverting back to unhealthy habits. Making recommended dietary changes will help positive habits stick with you for a lifetime.

Fiber Consumption

    A heart-friendly diet is important for keeping bad LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels down. Consume fiber-rich foods to maximize this benefit. Fiber mixed in with the water in your stomach envelops cholesterol, forming a gel with the water. After this gel substance attaches to the cholesterol, it removes it from your body through excrement.

    Fiber can be found in foods like legumes, oats, wheat and other whole grains. Eat the recommended 8 to 10 servings of these types of fiber-rich foods per day.

Protein

    Eating low-fat protein sources is a priority for a recovering heart-disease patient. Lean sources of nonmeat proteins include nuts, soybeans, lentils and other legumes.

    Meat sources of lean protein should primarily include fish, skinless chicken and skinless turkey. Other meat sources of protein should be avoided if you're a heart patient: They contain high amounts of saturated and trans fats. Avoid consuming more than 5 ounces of meat daily. Herring, salmon and other cold-water fish are an excellent source of cell-vital omega-3 fatty acids.

Hydration

    Refrain from drinking too many caffeinated drinks (if you're allowed any). Caffeine can cause unexpected heart-rate peaks. You should drink at least 64 ounces of decaffeinated and nonalcoholic beverages daily---juices with pulp (which provide added fiber), water and milk are all good choices. Ensure that you spread these drinks out throughout the entire day.

0 comments:

Post a Comment