Introduction
Eating habits are an important factor in maintaining a healthy heart. Eating a balanced diet that is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium can help reduce the risk of heart disease. The most crucial eating habit for heart disease is to limit the amount of saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium in your diet. Eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Additionally, limiting the amount of processed and fried foods can help reduce the risk of heart disease. This article will discuss the most crucial eating habits for heart disease and how to incorporate them into your diet.
The Most Crucial Eating Habit for Heart Disease
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Eating habits play a major role in preventing and managing heart disease. Here are some of the most important eating habits to keep in mind when it comes to heart health.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Eating a balanced diet is essential for heart health. This means eating a variety of foods from all the food groups, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Eating a balanced diet helps to ensure that you are getting all the essential nutrients your body needs to stay healthy.
Limit Saturated and Trans Fats
Saturated and trans fats are unhealthy fats that can increase your risk of heart disease. These fats are found in processed and fried foods, as well as some animal products. Limiting your intake of these fats can help to reduce your risk of heart disease.
Eat More Fiber
Fiber is an important nutrient for heart health. Eating foods that are high in fiber can help to reduce cholesterol levels and lower your risk of heart disease. Good sources of fiber include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
Limit Sodium Intake
Eating too much sodium can increase your risk of high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease. Limiting your sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams per day can help to reduce your risk. Avoid processed and packaged foods, which are often high in sodium.
Drink Alcohol in Moderation
Drinking alcohol in moderation can have some health benefits, but drinking too much can increase your risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends limiting your alcohol intake to no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is important for overall health, including heart health. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help to keep your body hydrated and your heart healthy. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water per day.
Conclusion
Eating a balanced diet, limiting saturated and trans fats, eating more fiber, limiting sodium intake, drinking alcohol in moderation, and staying hydrated are all important eating habits for heart health. Following these habits can help to reduce your risk of heart disease and keep your heart healthy.
Ever heard a greasy burger-and-fries meal referred to as a “heart attack on a plate?” Though a single high-fat meal probably won’t immediately send you to the ER with a heart attack, your diet clearly has a major impact on your cardiovascular health. If you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease (or know you’re at risk of developing it), it’s smart to be mindful of the foods you eat.
More specifically, it’s smart to be mindful of how much you eat. Of all the recommendations for a heart-healthy diet, the one that may make the most impact is keeping your portions under control. While other diet tips—such as consuming more fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats—are all well worthy of following, a heart-healthy diet begins with eating the right amounts.
In fact, when the American Heart Association released its 2021 guidelines for improving cardiovascular health, its first dietary recommendation had to do with adjusting caloric intake. In their words, to promote cardiometabolic health, people should “adjust energy intake and expenditure to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.” Controlling the portions of food you eat at meals and snacks is a surefire path toward keeping your weight in a healthy range.
You may wonder what the big deal is about eating moderate portions and watching the number on the scale. For heart disease, isn’t it more important to keep your arteries clear of harmful saturated fats or blood pressure-spiking sodium? Granted, these dietary strategies are important parts of your heart health toolkit—but maintaining a healthy weight might be even more critical.
According to a large 2018 study, excess body weight significantly increased the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (especially at a young age). Carrying extra pounds even upped the likelihood of passing away from heart disease.
The connection between how much you eat and your chances of heart disease comes down to the ways your weight affects cardiovascular risk factors. Experts have long known that a higher BMI can cause high blood pressure, for example. And elevated weight increases your likelihood of developing high cholesterol and diabetes, two other major contributors to heart disease. Meanwhile, obesity can cause heart muscle injury—even in the absence of other risk factors.
Sign up for our newsletter!
So exactly how do you go about portioning your meals for a healthier heart? There are so many ways—and some of them are even sort of fun (we promise)! Eating off of smaller plates and dishes, for example, can provide visual cues that give the impression of a satisfying portion. Try investing in a set of attractive shrink-rayed dishes you love to look at. Some plates even come pre-portioned, Bento-style, with sections for each food group or macronutrient.
Food journaling or food tracking can also keep you aware of the amounts you’re taking in. If you’re the pen and paper type, consider writing down the foods you eat each day with the approximate amounts. Or, if you prefer a digital experience, check out tracking apps like Weight Watchers or My Fitness Pal.
Some people also benefit from getting familiar with a hand-sized portion control strategy. The idea goes that parts of your hand can serve as a visual aid. An appropriate serving of meat is the size of your palm, for example, and the tip of your thumb is a good indicator for portioning fats like butter or mayo. The more you make portion control a habit, the more you’ll see results for your weight—and your heart.
Sarah Garone, NDTR