People suffering form congestive heart failure are always recommended a healthy diet that can give them proper nutrition. What is known as a heart-healthy diet is a must for congestive heart failure patients, which means avoiding certain substances that might worsen the condition even further. Such a heart-healthy diet can assure them proper health and can as make the patients feel better, thus providing more energy.

 

Making alternations in the diet plan is a challenging job initially when you star. But as the improvements in the symptoms would manifest eventually, one would know whether the effort was worth it or not.

 

A health diet doesn’t necessarily mean that you sacrifice variety and flavor. Rather it is about teaching you how to have healthy and well seasoned foods to satisfy your taste buds and help you in keeping a healthy system as well. A balanced diet with proper seasoning and sweet treats to please your appetite can all contribute to a healthy diet.

 

When we talk of a heart-healthy diet, it must include:

 

  • Fruits and veggies
  • High fiber foods and whole grains
  • Poultry and lean meat
  • Fish, to be taken twice every week
  • Fat-free dairy products

 

A hear-friendly diet must be low in:

 

  • Salt and sodium based products or sodium in any form.
  • Saturated fat. Cholesterol and trans fat

 

Since you know about the healthy food groups now, you must also be aware of the best foods included in the food groups for your health. Usually, low-sodium foods would be recommended to people suffering form heart failure and other problems related to the heart. Have a look at the next most heart-friendly foods falling into these categories:

 

  • Fruits: Any fruits usually fresh, frozen or canned.
  • Vegetables: Fresh or may be frozen, but not flavored ones. Canned vegetables should be fine if they are unsalted.
  • Meats, poultry and fish: Fresh is a preferred choice, but frozen should be fine. Fresh or else fresh fish can be taken, but not the breaded ones. Canned salmon and tuna thoroughly rinsed and unsalted. Turkey or chicken after removing the skin. Lean cuts of veal, lamb, beef or pork.
  • Substitutes of meat: Peas, dried beans, uncanned lentils, tofu, seeds or nuts in unsalted form, preferably dry-roasted like peanuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds and almonds. Unsalted peanut butter. Nuts must not be consumed in abundance as they contain high calories and fats.
  • Fluids/Drinks: Fresh fruit juices, canned tomato or vegetable juice with no salt, lemonade; either fresh or frozen, coffee and tea in moderation, soy milk, soy protein powder.
  • Dairy Products: Non-fat liquid or dry milk, low sodium dry curd, cottage cheese, low-fat cheese.
  • Oils and fats: Unsaturated vegetable oils, such as canola, corn, olive oil, cottonseed, peanut, soybean, safflower and sunflower, low-fat, low-sodium dressing for salads, unsalted margarine.
  • Cereals, Breads, Starches, and Grains: Pasta, brown or white rice, starchy vegetables like potatoes, corn, green peas etc, loaf bread or yeast rolls, homemade breads, pita bread, corn tortilla, cooked cereals like corn grits, oatmeal, oat bran, puffed rice, shredded wheat, wheat germ, and unsalted popcorn.
  • Sweets: Not to forget!! Flavored gelatins, fruits, fruit ice, sorbet, frozen juice bars, jam, jelly, apple butter, honey, molasses.

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Filed under: Congestive Heart Failure Prevention

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