Diet By Disease
Diet by disease means being extremely choosy about the foods you eat as well as the drinks you consume on a daily basis. It means paying attention to the ingredients that go into making all of your meals and it means avoiding foods that could contribute to your health problem and could make it even worse. Diet by disease is particularly important if you suffer from heart disease. Let’s take a closer look at the ins and outs of diet for a person who suffers from cardiovascular problems.

Those who suffer from heart disease must find ways to lower their cholesterol as well as their fat intake. They must learn the difference between good “HDL” cholesterol and bad “LDL” cholesterol. They must avoid fatty and fried foods as well as high sodium content and they must find healthy alternatives to seasoning their foods with salt (such as to use extra virgin olive oil). It is important to learn the difference between good and bad fats and to look for appropriate fat substitutes. Eating more fruits and vegetables on a regular basis is “heart healthy” as is consuming more seafood. Always remember to eat less fat, less sodium and fewer calories.

Some examples of “heart healthy” foods include vegetables, in particular the dark leafy green ones that are grown above the ground such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts and broccoli. Garlic is also extremely good for the heart. Always choose whole grains and whole rice and avoid white bread and anything that is refined. Be aware that if a product says it is “enriched” then it is not a wholegrain and should be avoided. Bran and wheat germ are excellent to keep the heart working well as well as to encourage the regularity of the digestive system. Beans, lentils and soy are recommended in the diet of many diseases including the heart and the more fibber you consume, the better.

Moving right along, fruits are good for the heart, the more the better. Berries in particular, such as strawberries, raspberries and blueberries are very “heart healthy.” Eggs and liver are good for the heart but only in small quantities (as the yolk of the egg contains cholesterol). Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines are choked full of omega-3 which is very heart healthy.

Research has shown that red wine in small quantities such as one to glasses a day is good for the heart as it reduces the incidence of heart disease and contains flavonoids, which help to lower blood cholesterol levels. Dark chocolate also contain flavonoids and helps to strengthen blood vessels and also helps to reduce the clumping of blood platelets.