Top 6 Foods Cardiologists Want You to Avoid for a Healthy Heart

Our heart is an incredible muscle. It beats approximately 100,000 times daily to keep you alive. Eating some items can be beneficial for your heart. On the contrary, some foods are bad for heart health and increase the risk of stroke and heart disease. Hence, cardiologists advise against eating such foods. However, that does not mean you cannot enjoy these foods. Using them as an occasional treat is okay, but they must not be a part of your daily diet. So, which are the foods top heart failure cardiologists advise against? Continue reading to find out.

Ice Cream

The Problem

1. It contains saturated fats and sugar.
2. It has high calories.
3. It can result in weight gain.
4. It can also spike the triglycerides level.
5. High triglycerides trigger a heart attack.

The Solution

1. Read the labels for saturated fat and sugar content.
2. Cut down the fat and calories by opting for

• Frozen fruit bars
• Yoghurt (non-fat or low-fat)
• Sorbet

Red Meat

Red meat includes

1. Lamb
2. Beef
3. Veal
4. Pork

The Problem

1. They contain saturated fats.
2. Their cholesterol content is also high.
3. The animal fat in red meat is bad for the arteries and heart.

The Solution

1. Opt for more heart-healthy protein sources.
2. Some such options recommended by the best cardiologist for heart failure are

• Seafood
• Chicken
• Turkey
• Fish

3. Vegetarians can prefer the plant-based proteins like

• Black beans
• Chickpeas
• Lentils
• Tofu

However, enjoy the occasional chop or steak as a special indulgence if you crave red meat as a carnivore.

Processed Snacks

The Problem

1. These snacks are high in fat and sodium.
2. They are high in calories.
3. They have no nutrition – vitamins, fibre, or minerals.
4. They will keep you hungry even after finishing the bag.

The Solution

1. Eat healthy, homemade snacks.
2. Prefer low-sodium options.
3. Valvular heart disease doctors recommend giving kids healthy snacks like yoghurt with mangoes.
4. Baked potato chips are another recommended option.

Fried Foods

The Problem

1. These foods contain a high level of trans fat.
2. Trans-saturated fats are artificially created and increase LDL levels.
3. They also reduce the good cholesterol in the body.
4. Bad cholesterol causes clogged arteries.

The Solution

Heart valve disease specialists recommend:

1. Choosing oven-baked fries over French fries.
2. Replacing fried chicken sandwich with grilled chicken.

Refined Grains

These include

• Crackers
• White Pasta
• White bread

The Problem

1. They increase the risk of heart disease.
2. They have a low heart-healthy fibre.
3. They do not have phytonutrients.

Solution

1. Replace them with whole grains.
2. Whole grains have phytonutrients.
3. Some options recommended by top heart specialists in Hyderabad include:

• Cereals
• 100% whole-grain bread
• Brown rice
• Oatmeal

Full-fat Dairy Products

The Problem

1. They contain fatty acids.
2. They are also high in saturated fats.

The Solution

1. Some recommendations from top heart failure cardiologists include:

• Skimmed milk
• Low-fat cheese or yoghurt

2. Low-fat options give you the benefits of dairy without hiking fat intake.

3. Try non-dairy milk alternatives:

• Oat milk
• Almond milk
• Cashew milk
• Macadamia nut milk

4. They have a creamier texture and more flavour.

5. They also contain unsaturated fats.

6. Unsaturated fats are heart-healthy.