It is an open secret that whatever lifestyle choice we make affects our heart- drinking, smoking, or even sleeping patterns. As per one of the reports by the American Heart Association, one out of three adults suffer from heart disease. Besides, good heart health means a balanced mind and body. However, what most of us don’t realize is what we eat not only affects our outer health but our system too, including the heart. Moreover, even the habits we grow play a significant role in that. Therefore, health experts, these days insist on consulting cardiovascular dieticians.
A cardiovascular dietician is someone who advises healthy eating habits and asks you to choose an active lifestyle to support your heart health. They are registered dieticians and offer nutrition counseling. Besides, they help with medical nutrition therapy.
How can a Cardiovascular Dietician help you?
Cardiovascular dieticians help in maintaining your heart’s health. However, there are other roleplays they perform. Here are a few ways by which a cardiovascular dietician can guide you to make necessary lifestyle changes.
- Helps you to prioritize optimal health and well-being.
- Guides to control the threat of heart disease, GI, cancer, diabetes, and other lifestyle disorders and diseases.
- Guides to check cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.
- Creates a personalized diet plan to stay fit and healthy.
- Helps to gain or lose weight, which is healthy for your heart.
Foods that Cardiovascular Dieticians Suggest
Food plays a vital role in maintaining the overall condition of your health, especially your heart’s health. Here are a few foods that cardiovascular dieticians suggest.
1. Green leafy vegetables
Green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, cabbage, etc. are rich in essential vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. Precisely, they are rich in vitamin K, which prevents blood clotting and keeps the arteries in good condition. Besides, they are rich in dietary nitrates, which control blood pressure and prevent hardening of the arteries. All in all, green leafy vegetables reduce the threat of heart disease compared to other vegetables.
2. Whole grains
Whole grains are the nutrient-dense parts of the grain. Some common heart-friendly whole grains include whole wheat, barley, buckwheat, quinoa, oats, etc. Refined carbohydrate increases the threat of coronary heart disease. However, whole grains are heart positive. Various studies proved that consuming whole grains is useful for heart health. According to AHA, whole grains prevent coronary heart disease, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, etc.
3. Berries
Any berries such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries are filled with essential nutrients. These are necessary to improve the heart health. Besides, berries have high antioxidant levels, which prevent oxidative stress and inflammation. Including a handful of blueberries in your diet improves cell functioning, which is useful in controlling blood pressure. Moreover, it also prevents blood clotting. Here is the diet chart for Cardiac Diseases.
4. Fatty fish and fish oil
Omega-3 is yet another essential nutrient to keep the heart healthy. Cardiovascular dieticians recommend including fatty fish and fish oil daily in the diet. Fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, and mackerel are great options. Omega-3 fatty acid reduces the risk of CVD and arrhythmias. Consuming fatty fish, in the long run, reduces the threat of cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, blood triglycerides, and fasting blood sugar. Furthermore, consuming fish reduces the chances of depression, mortality, etc.
5. Walnuts
A great source of fiber and micronutrients- walnuts are rich in magnesium, manganese, and copper. Various research proved that a few walnuts daily in your diet prevent heart disease. A few studies proved that consuming nuts daily, especially walnuts significantly reduce cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and risks of heart diseases.
Questions that a Cardiovascular Dietician may Ask
1. The family history- Anyone having a family history of high blood pressure, weight metabolic syndrome, or high triglyceride levels are susceptible to cardiovascular disease. A cardiovascular dietician will ask if any of your family members had or has a heart problem and consider treatment accordingly.
2. Favorite food- Food plays a vital role, as you can tell. What you eat affects the health of your heart. A cardiovascular dietician will ask about your favorite foods and accordingly make diet plans good for your heart.
3. Physical activities- A healthy heart is half a good diet and half exercise. Your dietician will ask about your daily schedule and whether you indulge in physical activities. They will suggest yoga, Zumba, or other fitness options to improve your heart condition.
Final words
Nothing is more important than prioritizing your health, especially at this time when the lifestyle choices of people are changing. Consulting a cardiovascular dietician will help you keep your heart healthy in the long run.