Diet

 

 

Food plays a starring role in heart health. What we eat and when we eat affects how our body functions. 

We are given a lot of information after a heart attack on what foods we can eat and any diet changes that need to be made. Although it may seem like there are many changes to be made, and that can be overwhelming, keeping it simple to begin with can make the changes easier to adopt. Keep recipes and meal planning simple (see Vitalis Menus and Meal Planner). Use basic ingredients such as fresh vegetables, whole grains, oats, etc. Start with basic healthy meals, then overtime we can start adding more ingredients and healthy alternatives as we source them. 

A healthy fresh diet is best for us, however economic factors can impact the foods we eat. Increases in food prices and affordability of healthy foods can affect our dietary patterns. 

There are changes that can be made regardless of budgets such as cutting out fried foods in favour of steamed, poached, grilled and roasted foods, which are healthier. Avoid adding salt when cooking as research has shown that too much salt can increase blood pressure. Adjusting portion sizes per meal results in the quantity of food intake reducing which can benefit weight maintenance and weight control diets. 

Swapping processed foods, convenient foods and fast foods for fresh foods is not only healthier but also reduces the need for snacking between meals which benefits weight and heart health. 

Online there is a good source of healthy recipes from reputable sites. See also Vitalis Menus and Meal Planner. 

There is a good source of plant-based recipes online which can be a good diet option for heart health. A plant-based diet is derived from plant sources. This includes pulses, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Reducing meat intake can be beneficial and trading some animal products for plant-based alternatives can make these changes easier. 

*Grapefruit, grapefruit juice and turmeric should not be consumed when prescribed certain heart medication, we should check with our pharmacist or GP. Check recipes, shop bought snacks and drinks for grapefruit and turmeric content.