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Suffering from heart disease? Here are foods you should avoid

Suffering from heart disease? Here are foods you should avoid

People suffering from heart disease have numerous questions related to their diet. Here is a clear idea about foods restrictions for people with heart disease.

Written by Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti |Updated : February 24, 2015 3:17 PM IST

Foods for heart

Do you suffer from a heart disease, and are confused about what foods to include and which ones you should avoid? Well, we'll make it easy for you, with a list of foods that are best kept out of your daily diet. According to Deepshikha Agarwal, a Mumbai-based dietitian and sports nutritionist, exercising moderation and limiting foods high in calories and saturated fats is the key to maintaining a healthy heart, and prevent allied cardiac problems in people suffering from heart disease. So, here's is a list of a few common foods that you should avoid to prevent heart problems.

mango- blood sugarFruits and vegetables: High-calorie fruits (like mangoes and bananas) and vegetables are not recommended as a part of a heart patient's daily diet. That being said; these fruits can occasionally be eaten as they contain certain nutrients essential for health. Fruits rich in simple sugars (like strawberries) can be consumed daily but in a limited amount. Instead, one can replace these fruits and vegetables with those containing high amounts of fibre, antioxidants and other vitamin and minerals like those found in apples, pears or muskmelons and leafy vegetables.

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Dry fruitsDry fruits:Dry fruits like cashew nuts (kaju), dates (khajur and raisins (kishmish) are calorie-dense and hence are not recommended for heart patients, since, they are at an increased risk of obesity, hypertension and high cholesterol. Therefore, the consumption of foods high in calories further increases the risk of cardiac problems. But, there is no harm eating dry fruits occasionally. For instance, walnuts and almonds are healthy for the heart patients as they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fibre, making them a healthy snack.According to Deepshikha Agarwal, two almonds or walnuts in the morning and two in the evening, add the perfect amount of nutrients to a heart patient's diet.

grilled-chickenNon-vegetarian food: Nutritionist Deepshikha Agarwal says, 'Red meat like beef and mutton is a strict no-no for heart patients as they are high in saturated fats that aren't good for heart health. Also, dishes that contain these meats are often made with large amounts of fat, making them even more unhealthy.' Apart from that, other non-vegetarian foods like chicken and eggs, while not recommended to be eaten every day, can be consumed once in a while. Chicken sandwiches, grilled chicken or even boiled cuts of the meat occasionally had , is a better way to help quell the craving for non-vegetarian food.

saltSalt and Sugar:If a person suffers from heart disease it is essential they limit their intake of salt and sugar, since too much salt and sugar increases the risk of a person suffering from high blood pressure -- which is a known cause for heart disease. Also, having sugar-rich foods also increases the risk of diabetes, a controllable risk factor of heart disease. Hence, heart patients should avoid foods rich in salt and sugar like pickles, papads and sugar confectionery or candies.

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