A healthy diet is the most important step in maintaining a healthy heart. Eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free, or low-fat dairy, fish, nuts, and healthy fats (such as avocados) is the way to go. Try to stay away from sugary foods, white bread, processed meats, fried food, alcohol, and red meat.
| Food Group | Heart-Healthy Options | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Grains | Whole grain versions of all bread. (sliced bread, dinner rolls, tortillas, etc) | Avoid white bread. |
| Vegetables | Fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables: green beans, carrots, tomatoes, squash, broccoli, etc. | Avoid salt added canned vegetables |
| Fruits | Fresh, frozen, canned (in fruit juice) or freeze dried fruits | Avoid canned fruit in syrup and suggar added fruits |
| Protein | Meat, poultry, fish eggs, nuts, seeds, etc. | Avoid large portions of red meat. |
| Fats and Oils | Avocados Oils: avocado, olive, peanut, or sesame | Avoid fried food cooked in canola oil |
| Sweets and Added Sugars | Fruit ice pops, low-fat frozen yogurt, low-fat ice cream etc. | Avoid sweets with large amounts of sugar. |