Following a Heart Healthy Diet

Improve your diet to improve your health. Here’s how…

It can be empowering to know that by simply changing your diet you could greatly reduce your risk for cardiovascular events, whether a heart attack or heart disease. Of course, we also understand that knowing where to start making changes can feel daunting and confusing. Luckily, our Silver Spring, MD, provider Florence (NP) is here to help you craft a dietary plan that helps support a healthy heart.

Replace Inflammatory Fats with Healthy Fats 

There are good fats and bad fats. Bad fats include hydrogenated oils such as canola and seed oils such as corn, soy and vegetable. These oils can increase inflammation, as well as increase your risk for heart problems. Instead, replace these processed oils with healthy fats such as coconut oil, olive oil and avocado oil.

Be Choosy About Your Meats 

While everyone can benefit from a plant-based diet, this doesn’t mean that you have to avoid meat altogether. You just need to be pickier about the meats that you consume. Many meats contain hormones and antibiotics, so always check the labels of the meats that you buy. Look for grass-fed, grass-finished beef and organic pasture-raised chicken. Always look for the leanest cuts of meat, and avoid processed meats such as hot dogs, bacon and lunch meats.

Avoid Refined Sugar 

Sugar is another ingredient found in so many of our diets these days, especially in packaged foods (this is why you should always check food labels when shopping). Unfortunately, sugar has been linked to a variety of health issues including heart problems. Avoid white sugar and starches, which include white pasta, bread and desserts. Swap these refined foods with brown rice, whole grains and quinoa.

Our Silver Spring, MD, family physicians also know that treating yourself is necessary sometimes and eating healthy is all about balance. We believe that desserts can be enjoyed, but sparingly. If you eat sweets every day or at every meal our team can provide helpful tips to ditch the sugar habit.

We understand the importance of a healthy diet for maintaining a healthy heart. If you’d like to sit down with our Silver Spring, MD, providers to discuss the ideal diet for supporting your cardiovascular system, call Exceptional Primary & Preventive Healthcare at (301) 587-6464 to schedule a consultation with our team.

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