Choosing certain foods, such fruits and vegetables, while limiting others, like saturated fats and added sugars, is the basis of a heart-healthy diet. Alcohol, added sweets, saturated fat, and sodium (salt) are all restricted in a heart-healthy diet. You may choose healthier foods by understanding nutrition labels external link. Less than 2,300 mg of salt should be consumed per day by adults and kids over the age of 14. Based on their sex and age, children under the age of 14 could need to consume significantly less sodium per day. You might need to restrict sodium intake even more if you have high blood pressure. If you or your child should consume more sodium, discuss this with your healthcare professional. Saturated fats, also known as “bad” fats, are found in animal products like butter, cheese, and fatty meats. Less than 10% of your daily calories should come from them. Vegetable oils and nuts contain unsaturated fats, generally referred to as “healthy” fats. Your daily intake of calories from added sugars should be kept to a minimum. This will assist you in making nutrient-dense meal selections and maintaining your daily calorie budget. Certain foods, including fruit, naturally contain sugars. Added sugars are utilized to sweeten foods and beverages rather than occurring naturally in food. They consist of raw sugar, sucrose, fructose, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, dextrose, brown sugar, corn syrup, and fructose. Soft drinks or sodas, fruit juices, sweetened coffee and tea, energy drinks, alcoholic beverages, and favorite waters are all examples of beverages with added sugar. About half of all added sugars consumed are found in sweetened beverages. Describe your alcohol consumption to your healthcare practitioner. They might advise you to cut back on your alcohol use or even quit altogether.
