Your diet is incredibly important to your health, because what you put in your body can have a direct effect on how it functions. The body cannot produce all of the vitamins, minerals and nutrients that we need on its own. That is why we have to eat to fill any gaps or deficiencies that we may have.
You will want to base your diet on healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains and omega-3 fatty acid dense foods such as fish. It is also equally important that you refrain from eating the following foods. For more information on how your diet can affect your cardiovascular health, consult a trained professional like Dr. Alfred Sparman for their recommendation.
Processed Meat
A common delicacy at many BBQ’s, parties and get-togethers, processed meats are one of the primary foods you should be encouraged to avoid. These foods entail meats such as deli meats, salami, sausage, bacon, hot dogs and bologna.
The reason why these foods are so dangerous for your health is because there is a great amount of salt and nitrites used to preserve the meat. With these elevated sodium levels, they can increase your blood pressure and force your heart to work harder to pump blood throughout the body.
Processed meats are quick and convenient, but they are also damaging to your cardiovascular health, especially if it is eaten on a regular basis. Research has shown time and time again that processed meats are the worst kinds for your heart, so abstain at all costs.
Soda
Also known as “soft drinks”, soda is another quick and convenient food item that can quickly do damage to your heart. Soda is very damaging to your health because of the vast amounts of sugar and high fructose corn syrup that is in soda.
Sugary drinks such as soda can have similar damaging effects on the heart like that of refined or processed carbohydrates. A can of soda also holds no nutritional value whatsoever. You are literally just drinking pure sugar into your body. These drinks will contribute to weight gain and can damage some of the vessels near the heart. This can also increase the risk of contracting diabetes.
A common misconception is that diet soda is a better option because it has the word “diet” in the name. Unfortunately, diet soda is not any better, and in some studies, it has shown to be even worse than regular soda. Water is always a better alternative.
Candy
You may have a sweet tooth, but the added sugar in candy may make you want to reconsider satisfying that craving.
Diets that are high in sugar have contributed to high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, inflammation and a litany of other risk factors that can contribute to heart disease. With recent studies linking sugar to an increase in heart disease incidence, it is clear that one of the major mediums of sugar, candy, needs to be avoided.
Deep-Fried Foods
A mainstay at many fast food establishments and restaurants, deep fried foods are one of the leading dietary causes of cardiovascular troubles. These foods are commonly seen in french fries, chicken and other snacks.
Fried foods are very harmful for your health, and one of the reasons why it can lead to an increased risk in heart disease is because of the potential trans fat that is formed from frying foods. Trans fat has proven to not only lower good cholesterol but increase bad cholesterol.
If you are having foods that could be fried, it is recommended to get a grilled variety. The excess fat that comes from being deep fried in oil could be avoided with a healthier alternative.
Margarine
Margarine is commonly used as a topping or a cooking agent, but it is very harmful to the heart. Margarine is filled with a lot of saturated fat and can raise someone’s risk of heart disease.
Trans fats are also very common in margarine sticks that remain solid at room temperature. Unfortunately, this is marketed as being healthier than butter. Margarine that is sued should be soft, spreadable and filled with no hydrogenated oils.
Pizza
Pizza is a common favorite fast food, but the cheese and toppings that are present in pizza can do serious harm over time. The sodium content in the cheese can increase one’s fat and sodium levels.
This fat and sodium is exponentially increased when adding salty meat products such as pepperoni, bacon, sausage or chicken. Pizza looks innocent enough, but the cardiovascular price may be paid over time.
For further information on harmful foods that should be avoided, consult expert advice from Dr. Alfred Sparman or whichever experts exist in your area.