Heart-Healthy Tips from Cardiology Dietitian, Michelle

Routhenstein

Don’t get stuck in the marketing of a heart-healthy diet.

What I mean by this, is that we often hear about a vegan diet or cutting calories as a way to be heart healthy. This may influence you to look for vegan and low-calorie “diet” products, which may not necessarily be heart healthy! Many “diet” products can have pro-inflammatory ingredients, high levels of saturated fat, and low nutrient density, which can negatively impact your heart health. Read more

Focus on eating nutrient-dense foods.

If you have a heart condition like atrial fibrillation or you’re trying to prevent one, consume foods that have the micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) you need for proper cardiovascular function. For example, ensure you’re eating enough potassium, calcium, and magnesium from food in your diet for heartbeat regularity. We often rely on supplements, and the research shows that it cannot replace food and with certain nutrients it is advised against. Read more

Find a balance.

Look for a macronutrient (carbohydrates, protein, fat) balance versus avoiding or over-consuming. In my private practice, I often see people who eliminate carbohydrates or fats as a way to be heart healthy. However, research shows that complex carbohydrates are important in reducing the risk of AFib attacks, and fats are also essential for blood vessel health. Our bodies need each macronutrient in specific quantities, and within these macronutrients there is a wide range of what is heart healthy. Read more