Unflavoured milk, yoghurt and cheese can be a part of a heart-healthy diet. Reduced-fat milk, yoghurt and cheese are better options for people with heart disease or high cholesterol. Butter, cream and ice cream are not part of a heart-healthy diet. Unflavoured milk, yoghurt and cheese are 'neutral' for heart health.
The best cheeses for heart disease are the ones with less saturated fat and sodium. Swiss cheese is probably the best choice, with only 53 mg of sodium per ounce. Mozzarella, goat and ricotta cheeses also fall on the lower side of the sodium scale, with about 130 milligrams per serving.
Cheese is a great source of protein and calcium but is often high in saturated fat and salt. This means eating too much could lead to high cholesterol and high blood pressure, increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Good for your heart
Various studies have shown that peanuts and peanut butter contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which lower “bad” LDL cholesterol and keep “good” HDL cholesterol high.
The Heart Foundation recommends that people with existing heart disease, including those recovering from a heart attack, should follow the Heart Healthy Eating Principles with some key changes: Choose reduced fat and unflavoured milk, yoghurt and cheese.
Aim for 5 vegetables and 2 fruit servings each day. Proteins: Eat a variety of healthy protein-filled foods over the week. For example: eggs, lean chicken, fish and seafood, and legumes (such as beans and lentils). Eat red meat less often (1-3 times a week) and avoid processed and deli meats.
The findings suggest that eating up to one egg per day may help lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Eggs are a rich source of dietary cholesterol, but they also contain a variety of essential nutrients.
Doctors frequently advise their heart patients to steer clear of butter. Why? More than half the fat in butter is saturated fat, which is a kind of fat that can increase total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Just a tablespoon of butter packs 7 grams of saturated fat.
Additional research shows that monounsaturated fats, like avocados and nuts, can be good for the heart, according to a review published in the Journal of the American Heart Association .
Heart health
Bananas contain fiber, potassium, folate, and antioxidants, such as vitamin C. All of these support heart health. A 2017 review found that people who follow a high fiber diet have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those on a low fiber diet.
“The data we looked at indicates that whether it's flavored or Greek, all yogurt is good for the heart,” Dr. Ivey added. “The more yogurt you eat, the more benefit you get.” That's because when Veterans consumed more yogurt, of any kind, their HDL cholesterol was higher and triglycerides were lower.
Greek yogurt has been connected to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which can reduce your risk of heart disease. Cholesterol and triglycerides can harden or block your arteries over time, leading to heart disease or atherosclerosis.
Fresh cheeses like feta and goat cheese have less fat than ripened cheeses and should be consumed when trying to eat a heart-healthy diet. Feta is a good source of calcium, vitamin B12 and phosphorus. They are known for promoting heart health by preventing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Water is the drink of choice for heart health. If you're thirsty, drink water. When the weather is warm or we're exercising, our bodies need more water than usual. Unflavoured milk, tea and coffee can be enjoyed in moderation.
Potatoes. As long as you don't deep fry them or load them with unhealthy toppings, a couple of servings of potatoes a week is great for your heart health. Potatoes are high in potassium, which helps lower blood pressure. They are also loaded with fiber, which has been shown to help lower the risk of heart disease.
A. Canned salmon, tuna, sardines, kippered herring, and other types of fish are pretty much on a par with fresh fish. They give you as much heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids as fresh fish, and sometimes more. These essential oils help prevent potentially deadly heart rhythms.
Whole-grain breads are good sources of nutrients that help maintain a healthy immune system. They also provide dietary fiber that can help improve cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
The best diet for preventing heart disease is one that is full of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, poultry, and vegetable oils; includes alcohol in moderation, if at all; and goes easy on red and processed meats, refined carbohydrates, foods and beverages with added sugar, sodium, and foods with trans ...