How to Avoid Bad Foods After a Heart Attack

Poor eating habits, resulting in high cholesterol and high blood pressure, are significant contributors to heart disease. When the doctor says to "avoid bad foods after a heart attack," the first step is to wage war on fats and salt. A little creativity and an open mind will go a long way toward enjoying a heart-healthy diet.

Things You'll Need

• Lean meat
• Lean poultry
• Fish
• Vegetables
• Fruit
• Unrefined whole grains
• Canola Oil
• Olive Oil
• Soy Protein

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Instructions

• 1

  Reduce your intake of trans fats and saturated fats. These fats usually are found in meat and dairy products, especially those that are fried or pre-baked.

• 2

  Cut butter, margarine and shortening from your diet. Also avoid bacon, gravy and cream sauces. Check labels on all foods-even those labeled with phrases like "reduced fat" are likely to contain harmful trans fats.

• 3

  Ensure that saturated fats comprise less than 7 percent of your daily caloric intake, with trans fats totaling less than 1 percent, per American Heart Association recommendations.

• 4

  Replace trans and saturated fats with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats like canola and olive oil. Be careful to limit even these "good" fats because all fats contain a large number of calories. Be creative and try different toppings on baked potatoes like salsa, nuts or yogurt rather than butter or sour cream.

• 5

  Utilize unrefined whole grains with fiber, which helps reduce cholesterol. Aim to consume less than 300 daily milligrams of cholesterol.

• 6

  Purchase lean meat, poultry, fish and low-fat dairy products, while minimizing cheeses and yogurt unless they are drastically reduced in fat.

• 7

  Substitute 1 percent or fat-free milk for whole or 2 percent. Ignore cold cuts, hot dogs, sausages, egg yolks, organ meats like liver, or any type of processed meat.

• 8

  Buy meats that are labeled "loin" or "round," as these are normally lower in fat. Bake, broil or grill rather than fry. Buy either skinless poultry or skin it yourself.

• 9

  Enjoy oily fish like salmon, trout, and herring. Omega-3 acids found in this sort of fish fat helps to maintain heart health. Consider eating this type of seafood at least three times weekly.

• 10

  Consume only fresh or frozen vegetables and fruits. These are packed with nutrients and fiber that help to lower blood pressure. Avoid canned products unless they are labeled as low-sodium and packed in water or juice. Most canned vegetables and fruits contain excessive amounts of salt and syrup.