How Does Your Diet Affect Heart Health?

What Food Can Do

Recently "General Mills," got into hot water with the FDA based on the claim on Cheerios boxes that by eating this cereal, shoppers could expect health benefits, specifically heart related benefits. The FDA was angered because this claim gives the impression that by eating this product one could reverse the effects of a history of otherwise unhealthy consumption. It also treated this food product almost as a medicine. The FDA would not say diet is unimportant as far as heart health is concerned, but Cheerios' heart health claim was unfounded and unproven; diet is not medication and to present diet as medication can be irresponsible.
Simply put, changing diets is not a solution to a pre-existing heart health problem. Diet is likely to have had a significant impact on development of heart problems in the first place and is the first factor that should be corrected when managing the problem.

What to Avoid Eating

Knowing what kinds of foods to avoid is only half of the puzzle when it comes to tailoring a diet for heart health. Most important is cholesterol. Avoid consuming more than 200 milligrams of cholesterol if you are currently managing a disease with cholesterol lowering medication. If you are not on cholesterol-lowering medication you can add about 100 milligrams to this serving suggestion. Salt is another problematic dietary element that can lead to high blood pressure. 2,300 milligrams of salt intake a day is the amount recommended by American Heart Association. Soups, condiments and foods prepared outside of the home are likely to have high salt contents so look for specialty products or preparation that will decrease this additive.
Remember not to overeat. Even healthy foods can have dangerous cholesterol or salt content if enough is eaten.

Foods to Eat More Of

Omega-3 is an unsaturated fatty acid found in fish products and flaxseeds (which can be crushed and spread on almost any meat entree or included in drinks like smoothies). The Omega-3 is called an essential acid, it is something the body needs but can not produce, so it must come from food products. Heart benefits of Omega-3 include reduced heart rate and lowered blood pressure. Low fat proteins like lean cuts of red meat and fish products are important because these protein sources have less cholesterol and less bad fats than other cuts. Soluble fiber like fruits are important elements of any balanced diet and lower total and LDL cholesterol.