You are what you eat. No, that does not mean you become a blueberry every time you eat a blueberry. But it does mean those with healthy diets are, in fact, healthy people.
Consuming nutrient-rich, low-fat food is essential for the health of your heart. No one knows this better than your cardiologist. They treat hundreds of patients yearly and see too many struggling with clogged arteries and failing hearts due to poor eating habits. Cardiologists tend to avoid foods high in trans fats and low in beneficial nutrients. Instead, they are more prone to fill their plate with heart-friendly options.
If you want to improve your diet and learn to eat like a cardiologist, here are three food types you can start eating to achieve your goal:
1. Cardiologists Reach for Leafy Greens
Cruciferous vegetables, also called leafy greens, are packed with vitamins and minerals that benefit the heart and your arteries. Vitamin K is a significant heart-healthy benefit found in these vegetables, which boosts blood coagulation. Insufficient levels of vitamin K can lead to hemorrhaging. It can also play a part in the development of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), which involves the left chamber enlarging to a dangerous degree.
To ensure your vitamin K levels are high, be sure to consume a routine amount of:
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Parsley
- Spinach
2. Cardiologists Reach for Fruits and Roots
Many fruits contain vitamin A (sometimes called beta-carotene) and vitamin C. Also considered antioxidants, these vitamins combat the buildup of cholesterol and plaque in the arteries, which can slow or even prevent the progression of atherosclerosis.
Be sure to consume fruits and roots like:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Carrots
- Grapes
- Oranges
- Pears
- Prunes
- Squash
- Sweet potatoes
- Tomatoes
3. Cardiologists Reach for Monosaturated and Polyunsaturated Fats
Monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats are heart friendly because they do not increase cholesterol levels in your blood. In fact, they help reduce artery-clogging cholesterol to help prevent strokes and heart attacks. Monosaturated fats are high in the antioxidant vitamin E, and polyunsaturated fats contain properties that lower blood pressure and blood sugar and reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
To increase your intake of monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats, add these foods to your diet:
- Avocados
- Nut and seed butters
- Nuts (almonds, pine nuts, and walnuts)
- Olive oil
- Pumpkin seeds
- Salmon
- Sesame seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Tofu
- Trout
As you plan your meals and begin eating like a cardiologist, schedule an appointment with Middle Georgia Heart.
Our skilled cardiologists understand the importance of a good diet, and our team will be glad to equip you with more details about improving your eating for your heart. Schedule a consultation with our team today and begin the process of improving or maintaining your heart’s health. Call us at 478-207-5224