It’s easy to overlook the negative impacts that seemingly innocent items can have.
However, if we care about our health, we must pay attention to what we eat, particularly when it comes to heart health. There are a few common foods that should be replaced with healthier options.
Dietitian Jesse Feather has identified three artery-clogging meals that are detrimental to heart health.
Whole milk
Whole milk may be creamy and sweet, but its high fat content, particularly saturated fat, might be harmful to our hearts.
“A high amount of saturated fat can contribute to elevated levels of LDL, or bad cholesterol,” she tells SheFinds.
Increased LDL levels are known to block arteries, contributing to cardiovascular issues. Instead, the nutritionist suggests switching to reduced-fat milk or an alternative like almond milk.
Cheese with high fat content
Although cheese is wonderful, it can be high in saturated fat and calories. High-fat cheeses, such as cheddar and Swiss, can be particularly hazardous to our cardiovascular health.
The dietician recommends reduced-fat cheese for lowering calories, fat, and saturated fat levels. Some alternatives are low-fat gouda, goat cheese, and feta cheese.
Coconut oil
Despite being marketed as a healthy option in recent years, coconut oil is not particularly beneficial to the heart, Feder claims.
“Instead of coconut oil, I recommend using avocado or olive oil because they are much lower in saturated fat,” he told me.
Although coconut oil has its uses in certain dishes, olive oil is a preferable choice because it contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
Of course, it’s vital to note that everyone’s nutritional demands are different, and that a highly limited diet might be detrimental to one’s health in the long run. It is generally acceptable to indulge in your favourite cuisine on occasion.
However, by making informed choices and replacing artery-clogging ingredients with healthier alternatives, we can take proactive steps toward keeping our hearts healthy.
After reading this text you can also read about: The Three Best Carbohydrates For Preventing Inflammation
