Eating a heart-healthy diet (and avoiding substances that can make your condition worse) can help you feel better and give you more energy for a full and enjoyable life.

Changing your diet may seem challenging at first but when you start to notice improvement in your symptoms, you’ll know it was worth the effort.

And a healthy diet doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor and variety, either. You won’t miss the bad-for-you stuff when you learn to prepare or order well-seasoned, balanced meals and even sweet treats!

A heart-healthy diet is rich in:

• Vegetables and fruits
• Whole grains and high-fiber foods
• Lean meats and poultry
• Fish (at least twice a week)
• Fat-free or 1 percent fat dairy products

A heart-healthy diet is low in:

• Saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol
• Salt and other forms of sodium

Everyone’s case is different, so be sure to consult your healthcare team about what you can and can’t have, how general nutrition guidelines apply to you, and special rules you need to follow.



This content is reviewed regularly. Last updated 03/18/09.