Heart disease, diet

Alternative names:

diet and heart disease

Food sources:

Fruits and vegetables are good sources of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Most are low in fat, calories, sodium, and cholesterol. Most fruits and vegetables are appropriate for a heart-healthy diet.

Dairy products and milk are good sources of protein, calcium, the B vitamins niacin and riboflavin, and vitamins A and D. The fat in whole milk and in cheeses is saturated fat, therefore, the recommended choices for this group are skim and 1/2 to 1% milk, cheeses made with skim or low-fat milk, or the ones that contain less than 5 grams of fat per ounce. Other milk products such as yogurt and buttermilk should contain less than 1% milk fat to be in the recommended category. Foods that are not recommended are milk products with more than 1% milk fat, all types of cream, and cheeses that have more than 5 grams of fat per ounce.

Breads, cereals, pasta and starchy vegetables are high in the B vitamins, iron and fiber. They are low in fat and cholesterol. Some examples of recommended foods in this category are low-fat breads, cereals, crackers, rice, and pasta, and starchy vegetables like peas, potatoes, corn, winter squash, and lima beans. Less desirable are baked goods with eggs, such as egg rolls or egg noodles; butter rolls; cheese crackers; croissants; cream sauces for pasta and vegetables; and cream soups.

Meat, poultry, seafood, dried peas, lentils, nuts, and eggs are good sources of protein, the B vitamins, iron, and other vitamins and minerals. The recommended foods in this category are skinless poultry, very lean beef, lamb, veal, and pork; lentils, legumes, dried beans and peas; egg whites; and wild game. Less desirable foods are prepared meats such as sausage, frankfurters, and high-fat lunch meats; marbled meats; prime cuts of high fat meats; duck; goose; and organ meats such as kidneys and liver.

Oils and fats are high in fat and calories, and people should eat less of all types of fat. Some fats are better choices than others but should still be used in moderate amounts. Liquid vegetable oils such as the polyunsaturated oils--safflower, soybean, corn, sesame, and cottonseed--are preferred. The monounsaturated fats in this recommended group are peanut, olive, canola, and avocado oils. Margarines made from any of the liquid oils listed (in the tub or the squeeze form) are more unsaturated than the types in the stick form. Salad dressings and mayonnaise should be made with the recommended oils. Seeds, nuts, olives, avocados and peanut butter are also acceptable. For a heart-healthy diet, avoid butter, lard, bacon, shortening, sour cream, whipping cream, and coconut, palm or palm kernel oil. These contain saturated fats and are not recommended.