Introduction
Eating a healthy diet is essential for maintaining a healthy heart. Unfortunately, many of the foods we eat can be detrimental to our heart health. According to dietitians, there is one food in particular that is the worst for your heart. In this article, we will discuss what this food is and why it is so bad for your heart. We will also provide some healthier alternatives that you can incorporate into your diet.
The #1 Worst Food for Your Heart, Says Dietitian — Eat This Not That
If you’re looking to keep your heart healthy, there’s one food you should avoid at all costs, according to dietitians. That food is processed meats, such as bacon, sausage, and hot dogs. These meats are high in saturated fat and sodium, both of which can increase your risk of heart disease.
Processed meats are also linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer, such as colorectal cancer. The World Health Organization has classified processed meats as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that they can cause cancer.
Instead of processed meats, dietitians recommend eating lean proteins, such as fish, chicken, and beans. These foods are lower in saturated fat and sodium, and they can help keep your heart healthy. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is also important for heart health.
If you do choose to eat processed meats, it’s important to limit your intake. The American Heart Association recommends limiting your intake of processed meats to no more than two servings per week. Eating too much processed meat can increase your risk of heart disease and other health problems.
By making healthier food choices, you can help keep your heart healthy and reduce your risk of heart disease. Eating lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables can help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce your risk of heart disease.
There are plenty of ways to care for your heart. Physical activity, lowering stress, and avoiding smoking are all helpful tools in maintaining it. But among all the tools you can use for improving your heart health, eating a healthy diet is one of the most effective.
Along with incorporating more heart-healthy foods, avoiding unhealthy ones is crucial, too. This includes things like fast food, ultra-processed food, and anything high in added sugar.
According to our medical expert Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, author of The First Time Mom’s Pregnancy Cookbook and Fueling Male Fertility, one of the worst foods for your heart is a hot dog.
“Between the sodium content, saturated fat, and sodium nitrates used as preservatives, classic hot dogs are one of the worst foods to eat for your heart health,” says Manaker.
Continue reading to learn more about why this food is so harmful to your heart health. And for more healthy eating tips, check out Eating Habits to Reduce High Blood Pressure.
Many people fear red meat when it comes to their heart health, but it’s actually processed meats like hot dogs, sausage, deli meat, and bacon that have consistently been linked to heart disease and poorer heart health.
According to a review published in Current Atherosclerosis Reports, processed meat consumption is known to lead to a higher risk for coronary heart disease compared to unprocessed red meat.
The report concluded that one of the most significant reasons for this difference between processed and unprocessed meat when it comes to heart disease is the sodium content, especially seeing as processed meat can often have up to 400% higher levels of sodium.
A 2021 review of 13 cohort studies came to similar conclusions, finding that regular processed meat consumption increased your risk of coronary heart disease by 18%, with unprocessed red meat raising it by only 9%.
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Some people may see these statistics and try ditching the regular beef hot dog for a chicken or turkey dog alternative. However, Manaker warns that these may not be good for your heart either.
“Even if you are opting for a turkey or chicken hot dog, know that most of them are loaded with unsavory ingredients too, making them no better for you in many cases.”
So, if you’re trying to eat healthier foods for your heart, you may want to stay away from hot dogs and other processed meats as much as possible. And if you’re craving something on the grill at your next barbecue, try grilling some chicken or vegetables instead.