Tips To Help You Eat Well And Keep Your Heart Healthy

As we mark World Heart Day, have you ever wondered how important the link between
your diet and a healthy heart is? In a nutshell, what you eat can have a real impact onthe health of your heart. By choosing a healthy diet you can reduce your risk of heart disease, weight gain and high blood pressure. It can also help to lower your cholesterol levels and benefit your heart, even if you already have a heart condition.

Heart disease is the leading killer of men and women—and claims more lives than all
forms of cancer combined. Being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease can also take
an emotional toll, affecting your mood, outlook, and quality of life. While weight control and regular exercise are critical for keeping your heart in shape, the food you eat can matter just as much. In fact, along with other healthy lifestyle choices, a heart-healthy diet may reduce your risk of heart disease or stroke by 80%.

No single food can make you magically healthy, so your overall dietary pattern is more important than specific foods. Instead of fried, processed food, packaged meals, and
sugary snacks, a heart-healthy diet is built around “real,” natural food—fresh from the
ground, ocean, or farm.

Whether you’re looking to improve your cardiovascular health, have already been
diagnosed with heart disease, or have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, these
heart-healthy diet tips can help you better manage these conditions and lower your risk
of a heart attack.

Here, I explain some of the choices you can make throughout your day to help you eat
well and keep your heart healthy. And the good news is that it’s never too late to start!

1. Eat a balanced diet

Let’s start by aiming for a well-balanced diet. It’s important to eat a range of foods tomake sure that you get all the nutrients your body needs. A balanced and heart-healthy
diet should include the following food groups:
#fruit and vegetables
# pulses, nuts and seeds
#lean meat, poultry, white and oily fish
# low-fat dairy products and vegetarian alternatives
# vegetable based spreads and oils, such as olive oil and rapeseed oil
#starchy foods such as bread, wholegrains and pasta

Where possible, choose options that are low in saturated fat, salt and sugar.

2. Try a rainbow of fruit and vegetables

Having a colourful variety of fruit and vegetables in your diet is also important for your health. It may even help to reduce your blood pressure, lower your risk of heart disease and some types of cancer.

Try to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables every day, and don’t stick to the sameones. Choosing a ‘rainbow’ of colours can help you towards your five-a-day. Eating
different types will also make sure you get a range of vitamins and minerals.

3. Cut back on salt

If you’re fond of salt remember that eating too much salt is linked to high blood
pressure, putting you at higher risk of coronary heart disease. Adults are recommended to eat no more than six grams of salt a day. Three-quarters of the salt you eat comes from foods you buy – so keep an eye on food labels when you’re shopping and choose low salt options.

4. Choose the right type of fats
Fats are an important part of your diet and are essential for good health, as they provide energy and vitamins. But to help keep your heart healthy, it’s important to choose the right type of fats in your diet and to cut down on foods containing unhealthy fats.
For example, saturated fat and trans fats are typically found in processed foods, cakes
and biscuits, and too much of these fats in your diet can increase the amount of cholesterol in your blood. Unsaturated fats are a healthier choice, such as olive oil, avocado and oily fish. You can learn more about these different type of fats in our guide to heart health and diet.

5. Eat enough fibre

Another healthy tip is to include lots of fibre in your diet. Eating a fibre-rich diet can help keep your heart healthy and lower your risk of heart disease. There are two types of fibre: soluble and insoluble, and both types are good for you. Soluble fibre can be digested in the body and is found in oats, barley, apples, bananas, carrots, potatoes with their skins on, beans and pulses. Insoluble fibre can’t be digested and helps other food move through your digestive system more easily. It’s found in wholegrains such as wholemeal breads and pastas, nuts, seeds and vegetables.

6. Try healthy food swaps

Finally, don’t forget that small changes can make a big difference overall to your diet.
Try swapping less healthy food options for something more nutritious to give your meals
a boost. For example, when preparing meals, you might want to swap salt for herbs and
spices, or butter for rapeseed oil. Or if you’re buying ready-made meals always check
the food labels and opt for healthier alternatives.