The Best Diet to Prevent Heart Disease
In today’s world, almost everyone knows someone who has heart disease in their family. Maybe a relative has had a heart attack, or maybe someone has experienced heart failure or other fatal conditions. It is a scary thing to think about, and the fact that heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States doesn’t make it any less scary.
Elderly Care in Hudsonville MI: Heart Healthy Diet
What can make it less scary, though, is that there is a way that you can prevent heart disease from happening. If you provide elderly care for an aging parent or loved one, you can make sure that they are not putting themselves at a higher risk for heart disease by making sure that they are staying active and leading a healthy lifestyle.
In order to lead that healthy lifestyle, though, they must follow a healthy diet. Here are some of the things that constitute a healthy diet, and that should be a part of your loved one’s.
- Fruits and vegetables – This is an obvious first choice, because fruits and vegetables are some of the healthiest things one can eat. They are important in any diet, because they keep the body healthy, which, in turn, keeps the heart healthy. Replacing a sugary, fatty snack with a handful of baby carrots or cherries, and making sure to get several servings of both fruits and vegetables every day can go a long way in helping one’s heart.
- Cut out unhealthy foods – Foods that are high in trans-fats, sodium, and saturated fats are all bad for the heart. They raise cholesterol and blood pressure, putting your heart at risk for blockages. I know it is tempting to reach for the box of cookies when you’re hungry, but limit your loved one to just one a day, or a few per week to stay on the safe side.
- Whole grains – Whole grains are another staple in a well-balanced diet. Whole grains that are high in fiber are especially good for the body, as they keep it working regularly. Whole grain versions of foods can also often replace fattier, less healthy counterparts, like pasta.
- Fish – The oils in fish are fantastic for the heart and the body. Eating fish twice a week can be a great way to stay healthier. Try replacing some of the red meat your loved one normally consumes with fish instead. There are plenty of delicious ways to cook fish, so your loved one might not even miss the meat!
This diet will help to prevent heart disease in your aging loved one, but it is important to note that it can be useful for you too! It is never too early to start taking preventative measures against health conditions like heart disease, and the earlier you start, the better chance you have of living a long, full, healthy life. Plus, if you eat the things on this list with your loved one, they will feel better about having a “special diet,” and have more motivation to get healthy, since you are doing it together.
If you or someone you know needs help with elderly care in Hudsonville, MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
Source:
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/How-to-Help-Prevent-Heart-Disease—At-Any-Age_UCM_442925_Article.jsp
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