Avoid These Foods If You Have Heart Disease

There is a direct link between diet and heart disease. An unhealthy diet can increase 
the risk of heart disease. There are a number of foods that you will need to avoid in 
order to protect your heart.

Fast Food Burgers

There has been a lot of debate about whether saturated fat can cause heart disease. 
Some studies suggest that grass-fed beef can be heart healthy. However, you will need 
to avoid burgers that are cooked at fast food restaurants. They are high in unhealthy 
carbohydrates and cooked with unhealthy oils.

Studies have shown that when saturated fat is combined with unhealthy carbohydrates, 
it can increase the risk of heart disease. Certain cooking oils can also increase the risk 
of heart disease.

Sugary Drinks

Many people consume hundreds of extra calories per day in the form of soft drinks and 
other sugary beverages. In fact, one can of soda has 10 teaspoons of sugar. You 
should avoid these beverages because they can cause just as much harm to your heart 
as refined carbohydrates.

It is also important to note that the body does not distinguish between liquid calories and 
food calories. If you consume too many calories, then this can lead to weight gain. 
Obesity is also bad for your heart.

Cured and Processed Meats

Bacon, sausage and other processed meats are high in sodium. Even if you only 
consume six thin slices of deli meat, you will still exceed the recommended amount of 
sodium. People who have heart disease or at a greater risk for heart disease need to 
lower their sodium intake. People who consume an excess amount of sodium are more 
likely to develop heart disease.

Fried Foods

Most fried foods have trans fat. This is the worse type of fat that you can consume. It 
raises your bad cholesterol while lowering your good cholesterol. If you choose to fry 
foods at home, then you will need to use extra virgin oil.

Refined Grains

Refined grains are found in white rice, white bread and breakfast cereals. Whole grains 
can cause you to gain weight. They can also trigger inflammation. That is why it is best 
to choose refined grains instead of whole grains.

Candy

Many people thought that fat was the biggest culprit behind heart disease. However, 
researchers have found out that sugar can also increase the risk of heart disease. Diets 
that are high in added sugar can increase the risk of diabetes, inflammation and high 
cholesterol.

