Heart-Healthy Diet
It's not easy to change
eating habits, but eventually you and your taste buds will adjust to a
low-sodium diet. Review these tips from the
Heart Failure Society of America to help you get started:
- Make changes slowly.
- Adapt foods you enjoy so
they are lower in sodium, rather than trying to get used to a completely
different diet.
- Keep a list of
low-sodium foods in the kitchen.
- Choose entrees or main
food items that have no more than 500 mg of sodium per item.
- When beginning your new
diet, keep a record of everything you eat and drink for four days and
discuss this information with your physician or a dietician who can help
you create a detailed nutritional plan based on your personal needs and
health goals.
In addition to choosing
low-sodium foods, you should:
- Carefully follow fluid
management guidelines (general rule is 8 cups of fluid or less per day).
- Maintain a healthy body
weight.
- Include high-fiber foods
in your diet (vegetables, whole-grain foods, fresh fruit, etc). Foods
high in fiber include natural antioxidants, which reduce the risk of
cardiovascular disease. You should consume 25 to 35 grams of fiber per
day.
