Congestive heart failure, CHF, is a kind of heart disease where the heart cannot pump blood sufficiently for the body. One of the classic signs of CHF is swelling in the extremities, due to fluid back-up in the body. Eating the right diet can help CHF patients manage their condition (see links in References).
Limit Salt
People with congestive heart failure can make their symptoms worse by retaining too much fluid. Eating too much salt encourages the body to hold on to this fluid and that is dangerous for CHF patients. This salt restriction applies to salt added after food is prepared and during processing. Some methods for reducing salt intake include eating whole, unprocessed foods, such as fruits and vegetables, buying only low-sodium canned or processed foods and seasoning with herbs instead of salt.
Limit Unhealthy Fats
CHF patients should limit the unhealthy fats in their diet. If you have CHF, look for these words on food labels and avoid or limit those foods: "trans fat," "hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil," and "saturated fat." The diet should also be low in cholesterol. Unhealthy fats can be bad for CHF patients by raising the risk of coronary artery disease.
Limit Fluid
Total daily fluid consumption should be limited for people with CHF. It is important to keep the total body fluid levels low to avoid making CHF symptoms worse. Alcohol use should be totally or severely restricted. Drinking alcohol with CHF can lead to dangerous changes in the heartbeat and make heart muscles weak.
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