Diet
Sodium
Don't "pass the salt". . .too much salt (sodium chloride) is not good for everyone. It is especially good for patients with congestive heart failure or high blood pressure to restrict their salt intake.
If you eat too much salt (or salty food), your body retains too much water. This may increase your blood pressure which increases the workload on your heart, which can lead to increased risk of stroke or heart attack.
Lowering your salt intake in 3 steps:
- Stop using the salt-shaker! (use less in cooking and baking as well)
- Read labels: look for "low-sodium," "sodium-free," or "no-salt added"
- Limit your daily intake to 6 grams or less of salt
Eat to better health:
- Healthy eating habits can help reduce 3 major risk factors for heart disease:
- High blood cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Balance the number of calories you eat with the number of calories you "burn" each day.
- Be sure to include a variety of fruits and vegetables (3 to 5 servings per day).
- Eat a variety of grain products (6 to 10 servings per day).
- Saturated fats should be about 10% of your calories. Monounsaturated fats (olive, canola, peanut oils, and cold-water fish), which may help reduce cholesterol, should make up about 10% of your calories.
- "Empty" calories (foods that are high in calories but low in nutritional value) should be limited.
- Alcohol:
- Less than or equal to 1 alcoholic drink per day for women
- Less than or equal to 2 alcoholic drinks per day for men
Back to Patient Education
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This site provides materials for information and education only. It is not to be considered medical advice. LVCA encourages you to see your physician for any of the health issues discussed here. The field of medicine changes on a regular basis, therefore we do not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided on this site, nor do we guarantee that the information represents the most currently accepted standards.
Suite 301 • 2649 Schoenersville Road • Bethlehem, PA 18017
Tel: 610-866-2233 • Fax: 610-866-7738
http://www.lvcardiology.com
Notice of Privacy Practices of Lehigh Valley Cardiology Associates, P.C.