Your eating and drinking choices are very important for a healthy heart. Even if you cannot completely remove many foods from your life despite their dizzying taste, you should limit them. Here are the foods that experts insistently say not to consume…
Many people are surprised to learn that bread and baked goods are some of the biggest contributors of sodium in our diets. High sodium consumption can raise blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. For example; A plain bagel can contain 500 milligrams of sodium, which is about one-third the amount the American Heart Association recommends per day for most adults. Refined flours in bread can also cause our blood sugar to rise.
MARGARINE
Too much butter isn’t healthy for your heart, but alternatives like margarine aren’t always better. Before the FDA banned partially hydrogenated oils in 2015, margarine had more trans fat, which raises “bad” cholesterol and lowers “good” cholesterol. Most on the market are made with palm oil, which contains high amounts of saturated fat that can raise your cholesterol. Olive oil or margarine made from flax oil are better choices. Olive oil contains only a small amount of saturated fat and no trans fats.
SKIMMED MILK
Milk and dairy products containing milk fat are the main sources of saturated fatty acids. And while skim milk may be a better option, recent studies show that almond, cashew, and macadamia nut milks are higher in heart-healthy unsaturated fats, such as soy and flax milks. If you’re drinking milk as it’s a good source of calcium, know that calcium can be found in many different foods. Almonds, broccoli, kale, oranges, beans, edamame, figs and canned salmon can improve your health by adding more calcium to your diet.
DIET BEVERAGES
It may not contain sugar, but diet soda can still mess up your biochemistry. Recent research has revealed that artificial sweeteners found in diet soda can affect the production of important proteins in our gut that protect against obesity and diabetes. For refreshing beverage options, opt for herbal teas that are packed with healthy compounds that help fight inflammation and cell damage. Black and green tea have been associated with a lower risk of heart attack and stroke.