This is a HealthLine Online content page created by Healthwise. HealthLine Online helps you make better decisions about your health.

Heart-Healthy Eating

Overview

Heart-healthy eating means eating food that can help lower your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. It focuses on eating more healthy foods and cutting back on foods that aren't so good for you. It is part of a heart-healthy lifestyle that includes regular activity and not smoking.

A heart-healthy eating plan means that you:

  • Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and other high-fibre foods.
  • Eat lean proteins, such as seafood, lean meats, beans, nuts, and soy products.
  • Eat healthy fats, such as canola and olive oil.
  • Choose foods that are low in saturated fat and avoid trans fat.
  • Limit sodium and alcohol.
  • Limit drinks and foods with added sugar.
  • Stay at a healthy weight by balancing the calories you eat with your physical activity.

There are a few heart-healthy eating plans. They include the DASH diet and the Mediterranean diet.

DASH diet

The DASH diet is an eating plan that can help lower your blood pressure. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. It includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or non-fat dairy. It also includes fish, poultry, beans, nuts, and seeds.

Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet is a heart-healthy style of eating. It features foods eaten in countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. This diet emphasizes food rich in fibre and healthy fats. These include fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, and high-fibre grains. The diet limits meat, cheese, and sweets.

Learn more

Credits

Current as of: September 20, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: September 20, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Contact Information

Contact the SHA

Contact us with General Inquiries or Feedback About Your Care, the SHA is here to help.

Help Information

Emergency

If you believe you have an emergency, dial 911.

Questions?

If you have questions about your health, dial 811 on your phone or visit HealthLine Online.