Heart Healthy Diet

Unsaturated fats from whole foods such as olive oil or avocado oil are recommended in this heart-healthy diet plan instead of saturated fats. To tell the difference, saturated fats are usually solid at room temperature— such as beef fat or coconut oil. The solid nature of these fats means they are more likely to form atherosclerotic plaques and contribute to coronary artery disease. In addition, trans fats, commonly found in processed foods such as margarine or shortening, are highlighted as the least heart-healthy and a risk factor for coronary artery disease.

A heart-healthy diet is a great option for anyone looking to reduce their risk of coronary artery or cardiovascular disease. Those who may particularly benefit from this heart-healthy diet are those at increased risk of heart disease, people looking for an evidence-based healthy diet plan, or anyone looking to make a positive lifestyle change.

In order to see the benefits of a heart-healthy diet, it is recommended to follow this diet plan for at least six months. However, this heart-healthy diet is a permanent lifestyle change rather than a fad diet, and so in order to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, these heart-healthy dietary recommendations should be adhered to on an ongoing basis.