The cardiac diet aims to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by increasing the consumption of anti-inflammatory, heart-healthy foods. It emphasizes the addition of vegetables, healthy grains, and oily fish to the diet. These foods promote cardiovascular health. The diet also restricts high-sugar and high-salt processed meals, which can raise the risk of heart disease.
This article will go over foods to prioritize and limit, as well as provide an example of a meal plan for a cardiac diet. It will also explain provide ideas on how to adhere to the diet, and propose further lifestyle modifications to consider.
What is Considered a Cardiac Diet?
“Cardiac diet” is the unofficial phrase for a heart-healthy diet. It is a diet that places a focus on foods that promote heart health, like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean chicken, and omega-3-rich oily fish such as salmon and tuna. The diet also limits the consumption of processed foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats because they raise the risk of heart disease.
Numerous heart-healthy diets are highly advised for cancer patients and anyone wishing to improve their cardiovascular health. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, the Mediterranean diet, and other vegetarian diets are a few examples.
What Can You have on a Cardiac Diet?
Choose foods from the following categories to create a heart-healthy plate:
Whole grains
Whole grain bagels, English muffins, baguettes, and tortillas.Hot or cold, sugar-free, whole grain breakfast cereals, such as oatmeal or shredded wheat.Whole grain wild or brown rice, or quinoa.Whole wheat or whole grain couscous and spaghetti
Choose items with “whole” as the first ingredient, such as “whole wheat,” “whole grain,” or “whole oats.”
Meats and additional proteins
Seafood consisting of fish (particularly omega-3-rich types) such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and lake trout.Poultry – skinless chicken or turkey breast, or chicken or turkey ground lean (at least 93% lean).At least 93% lean pork shoulder, beef sirloin, and lean ground beef.Legumes, pulses, and lentilsEgg whites or egg substitutesNuts and seeds without saltTofu