United States: This week, millions of Americans would share a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with their families – but those with heart disease must pay particular attention to what they are eating, as the health experts suggest.
The American Heart Association reveals that almost half of American adults suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease – and diet plays a key role in strokes and heart attacks.
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According to Dr. Philip Nimoityn, clinical assistant professor of Medicine at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, “Thanksgiving is a holiday that often results in overindulgence of food and alcohol, which can pose a risk to individuals with known or unknown heart disease,” Fox News reported.
Dr. Sam Setareh, a cardiologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, frequently partakes in outcomes of that overindulgence.
High salt or high sodium intake foods are the main offenders in congestive heart failure worsening and raised blood pressure, according to Setareh.
Therefore, he advises that one should go for the home-prepared ones that have no added salt.
Trans fats and saturated fats can increase levels of LDL which is known as “bad cholesterol”, said Setareh.
He encourages one to eliminate buttery mashed potatoes, casseroles made from heavy cream, gravy, and store-bought cookies/baked goods to prevent that.
What more are the experts suggesting?
According to Nimoityn, the best way to approach meats is to steer clear of the fo the fattier variety completely.
Avoid accumulating unnecessary calories from store-bought cranberry sauce, especially because it is packed with sugar, explained Dr. Rozanski, a professor of Medicine at Icahn School of Medicine and Director of Nuclear Cardiology at Mount Sinai St. Luke in New York City.
Nimoityn’s advice for beverages is either moderation or complete abstaining from alcohol due to direct impacts and extra calories, in addition to apple ciders, which contain high sugar content, Fox News reported.
Fruit and sugary desserts are also other foods that you need to cross off the list. Those with heart problems, Setareh says, should go for lean meats.
As for the latter, the doctor appeals to choose the side with more fiber. Setareh recommends including fats that are good for the heart, such as walnuts, almonds, and olive oil, in recipes to reduce fat.
Sauteed vegetables and salads are better choices than conventional rhubarb pies or apple crisps in sweets, while baked apples with cinnamon are even heart-healthy.
Rozanski says that patients with heart disorders should not be sorry for the food choices they make on this specific day, as they can opt for healthier alternatives to the foods they enjoy.