According to Heart Failure Specialist Doctors in saket Delhi, if you have heart failure, making some simple dietary changes can improve your quality of life.
To begin, aim to consume a variety of fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables each day. Fruits and vegetables are low in calories, which can aid in weight management. They’re also high in vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber, which aids in blood sugar regulation and cholesterol reduction.
Potassium is one nutrient to consider when selecting produce because some heart failure medications can affect your body’s potassium levels. Most diuretics can lead to loss of potassium, while angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) can increase it.
You’ll also need to reduce or eliminate certain foods and beverages from your diet, particularly those that cause fluid retention, blood sugar problems, or obesity.
Alcohol
Best heart doctor in Delhi, says Heart failure prevents the heart from pumping as efficiently as it once did. Alcohol can exacerbate the problem and weaken the heart muscle. It’s best to stay away from it in all forms, including wine. The evidence linking a daily glass of red wine to better heart health is inconclusive.
Salt
As per Heart Failure Specialist Doctors in Delhi, Even the healthiest people can experience fluid retention if they consume too much salt (sodium). Excess sodium can lead to serious complications in people who have heart failure. It can also worsen high blood pressure (hypertension), which can exacerbate existing heart failure.
Furthermore, high-sodium diets are often high in fat and calories, which can contribute to obesity and its complications.
Unfortunately, sodium is present in almost everything we consume, making a low-sodium diet seem difficult. It is particularly prevalent in processed, prepared, canned, and smoked foods. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Take the salt shaker off the counter or table.
- Look up some simple low-sodium recipes on the internet.
- Find new ways to use herbs and spices to season your food. Consider lemon, garlic, ginger, vinegar, and black pepper as well.
- Make it a habit to read food labels. A sodium level of 140 mg or less on the nutrition facts label is considered low sodium.
- Select canned foods with no added salt.
Highly Processed Grains
Fiber has been removed from highly processed grains such as white bread, white rice, white pasta, and many sugar-sweetened breakfast cereals. This is especially problematic for people suffering from heart failure, as it frequently coexists with conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.
Instead of processed grains, seek out whole grains. They’re nutrient-dense and high in fiber, just like fruits and vegetables.
Meats that have been prepared
Avoid cured and processed meats, which contain a lot of sodium. Burgers and steaks, even when unseasoned, have their own set of issues: they’re high in the types of fat that can cause clogged arteries.
Instead, aim to eat more fish than red meat, especially salmon, tuna, trout, and cod. They contain omega-3 fatty acids and are low in saturated fat, which helps lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Trim visible fat from meat before cooking it, and remove the skin from chicken.
However, not all fat is bad. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats have been shown to reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. They also help you keep your blood pressure in check and lower your “bad” cholesterol (LDL) while increasing your “good” cholesterol (HDL). Olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds are all good sources.
If you have any query related to the above points, please consult the Best Cardiologist in Apollo Hospital Sarita Vihar Delhi. He works as a senior consultant in the Interventional Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology Department at Apollo Hospital Sarita Vihar in Delhi.