After a Heart Attack, Foods to Eat and Avoid

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March 20, 2021
diet after heart attack

After a heart attack, the focus of treatment is on preventing another heart attack or any accompanying consequences, such as a stroke. The way your body functions, especially your heart, is influenced by what you consume. Changing your dietary habits can help you avoid a second heart attack.
Dr Kamlesh Jain a Famous Heart Specialist in Mumbai, has given a list of foods that can benefit and those that can harm you.

A heart-healthy diet includes the following foods:
● fruits and veggies in abundance
● meats that are low in fat
● poultry with no skin
● legumes, nuts, and beans
● fish
● grains in their entirety
● olive oil and other plant-based oils
● dairy items that are low in fat
● a dozen eggs (you can eat up to six per week)
All of these are low in saturated fats and calories. Make sure your plate is half filled and contains a variety of veggies at every meal, as a general rule. Canned and frozen vegetables and fruits may be substituted for fresh types if they are salt and sugar-free.
As Per Dr Kamlesh Jain’s Advice, Fish is one of the healthiest foods you can eat, but you must choose the appropriate kinds. Oily fish is preferred because it contains omega-3 fatty acids, which lower cholesterol and improve vascular health.
Aim for at least two fish dishes per week. Here are several examples:
● salmon
● sardines
● trout
● herring
● mackerel
When it comes to beverages, water is your best bet. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, try slicing a lemon, cucumber, or berry and putting it in your water for a natural flavour boost.
Diet Types:
There are a few different heart-healthy diets to explore if you want to follow a more regimented eating plan.
Remember to keep your doctor up to date on everything. Inform them if you intend to try a new diet or request a referral to a nutritionist who can assist you in selecting an existing diet plan or customising one for you. You Can Consult with Dr Kamlesh Jain who is one of the best Cardiac Surgeons in Mumbai. He has More than 23 years of Experience in A Cardiology

1. The Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet has gotten a lot of attention in recent years, and rightfully so. The cardiovascular benefits of this food plan, according to a recent analysis of long-term studies, may help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
This diet emphasises healthy fats, legumes, salmon, beans, and grains, as well as plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Dairy and meat should only be consumed on rare occasions. Plant-based oils, such as olive oil, are also used instead of butter in the Mediterranean diet.
If you do decide to include dairy products in your diet, be sure they contain no more than 1% fat. As a result, your overall saturated fat consumption is reduced.
Instead of whole-fat alternatives, look for skim milk and fat-free yoghurt.
2. DASH
Another eating regimen that promotes heart health by decreasing blood pressure is DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension).
The DASH diet, like the Mediterranean diet, emphasises plant-based foods and lean proteins.
The most significant distinction is that DASH focuses on lowering sodium intake in the diet, with a sodium intake goal of 1,500 to 2,300 mg per day.
While the Mediterranean diet does not specifically address salt intake, eating more plant foods may naturally result in lower sodium intake.
You can also have 2 to 3 servings of low-fat dairy per day if you follow the DASH diet. DASH improves your blood pressure and heart health by lowering your sodium and cholesterol intake naturally.

3. Plant-based eating
A plant-based diet, often known as “plant-forward” eating, consists of consuming little or no meat.
Plant-based eating emphasises fruits and vegetables, as well as grains, legumes, and other non-animal food sources, as the name implies.
Eating more plant-based foods has been related to a lower risk of:
● cancer
● stroke
● type 2 diabetes
You’ll consume less saturated fat and cholesterol if you eat less meat.
4. “Clean” eating
While not a specific diet, the phrase “clean” eating is becoming increasingly popular when addressing eating patterns. This kind of eating only eats foods straight from the source, avoiding processed foods as much as possible. This regulation does not apply to canned or frozen produce. Clean eating reduces your intake of salt, added sugars, and saturated fats, all of which are commonly found in processed meals. However, you should minimise red meat if you wish to eat a heart-healthy diet.

Foods to Avoid

A heart Surgeon in Mumbai, Dr Jain suggests that Excess sugar, salt, and harmful fats should be avoided as a general rule. This is particularly true after a heart attack.
A partial list of foods to limit or avoid is as follows:
● a fast Food
● food that has been fried
● food in a box
● tinned food (with the exception of vegetables and beans, as long as there is no added salt)
● candy
● chips
● frozen meals that have been processed
● cakes and cookies
● biscuits
● an ice cream cone
● condiments like mayonnaise, ketchup, and pre-made salad dressing
● flesh that is red (enjoy in limited quantities only)
● alcohol
● vegetable oils that have been hydrogenated (these contain trans fats)
● meat from a deli
● Pizza, burgers, and hot dogs are all popular choices.
Limit your saturated fat consumption and fully avoid trans-fat (found in hydrogenated oils) for a healthy heart.
Saturated fat should not account for more than 6% of your total daily calories. If you have high cholesterol, this is extremely important.
Limit your daily salt consumption to 1,500 mg or fewer to control blood pressure.
Consult a Heart Specialist in Mumbai to see if caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea are safe for your heart. These drinks should be consumed in moderation, without the addition of cream, milk, or sugar.