Maintaining a healthy diet can be hard work. There are plenty of unhealthy – and tasty – foods out there to tempt us all, and many of those unhealthy options also happen to be quick and convenient. In a busy world, many people opt for the quick and unhealthy choice a little more often than they should. If that sounds like you, don’t worry – with some knowledge and a basic plan for your diet, it is possible to turn those bad habits around in short order.
Below, you will find a list of 10 foods that it would be best to avoid in order to protect your heart health. Does that mean you can never indulge in these items? Of course not. The key is moderation. As long as most of your diet is made up of healthy, nutritious foods, the occasional indulgence can be an enjoyable experience.
Bacon
We hate to start the list with such bad news, but it’s true that bacon is not something you should consumer frequently if you are concerned about your heart health. There are a number of problems with bacon from a health perspective, and it starts with the high amount of saturated fat in the product. There is also a considerable amount of salt in bacon, potentially leading to high blood pressure, and there are plenty of preservatives. Overall, this is one that you should avoid more often than not.
Soda
This isn’t technically a food, but rather a beverage. Nevertheless, it deserves a spot on our list due to the high quantities of soda that are consumed by millions of people. There is a significant amount of sugar in just one can or bottle of soda, and some studies have indicated that diet drinks might not be much better for your health.
Processed Food
As a wide-ranging category, foods that have been processed are generally not going to be good news for your heart. They tend to contain high levels of salt, saturated fat, and other unhealthy elements. It’s true that processed foods offer convenience, but you may pay for that convenience with your health in the long run.
White Flour
This one is a little hard for some people to believe, as white flour is in so many products that are consumed regularly. However, it’s pretty clear that white flour is unhealthy, as it lacks any meaningful nutritional value and may cause your blood sugar to spike. Opting for whole grains rather than their refined versions is a much better choice.
Pizza
This one goes right along with bacon in the ‘bad news’ category. While millions of people love pizza, and it certainly can be delicious, it’s almost all bad news from a health standpoint. Most types of pizza have significant amounts of fat, along with salt. Of course, if you decided to cook a pizza at home, you could opt for a healthier version that might still satisfy your cravings.
Butter
For most people, the idea that butter is bad for the heart is not going to be surprising. Yet again, the issue here is saturated fat more than anything else. Consuming too much saturated fat is associated with high cholesterol, which can in turn lead to heart disease. Try to find ways to replace the butter in your diet with healthier alternatives and you will be taking a step in the right direction.
French Fries
The hits keep on coming for tasty, popular foods. And yet, you still probably aren’t too surprised. French fries can be tasty when served hot and covered with salt, but that indulgence is one that can have serious health consequences. All the salt is a bad start, and the oil used in the deep fryer adds significant saturated fat to the potatoes.
Soup
Here’s the thing – you might be tempted to think that buying a canned soup at the store would be a healthy option. After all, there may be plenty of vegetables in the soup, and it seems like it would easily be better than something fried in the deli. Unfortunately, many canned soups are actually rather unhealthy for your heart, usually due to the sky-high sodium content.
Ice Cream
Yep – add ice cream to the list along with bacon, fries, pizza, and more. Traditional ice cream has tons of saturated fat, not to mention all the sugar required to make it taste as sweet as it does. If you love cold treats on hot summer days, look into other, healthier options that will serve the same purpose.
Candy (and other concentrated forms of sugar)
Eating a piece of candy is providing your body with nothing more than sugar in an overwhelming quantity. This can lead to a variety of negative outcomes, including encouraging the development of type 2 diabetes. Avoid candy and find a way to pick healthier snacks whenever possible.
At Beverly Hills Cardiovascular, we are proud to serve patients from throughout Southern California. For quality cardiovascular care from a friendly and professional team, you need to look no further. Along with nutrition assessment and weight management services, we also provide treadmill exercise stress tests, carotid ultrasound, and much more. Reach out today to learn more or to schedule your first appointment.
