Nutritional Support

Nutritional Counseling

Maintaining a healthy weight and participating in a regular exercise program are part of keeping your heart healthy. Stamford Hospital's Heart & Vascular Institute offers nutritional counseling to help patients commit to a heart-healthy lifestyle, including fruits, vegetables, whole grain products and low fat animal and dairy products.

Heart-Smart Diet

You should follow a low-fat diet. Not all fats are equal. There are fats that are better for your heart than others. Unsaturated fats (also known as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) may be protective in small amounts. These fats include omega-3 fats, and are found in fish, nuts, seeds, and some fruits (like olives and avocados). Consuming saturated fat and trans fat can be damaging to you and your heart. Eating these fats causes your body to make more of the bad cholesterol, which can cause plaque build-up in your arteries. A heart healthy diet limits the amount of salt (sodium). Excess sodium can lead to fluid retention, which may contribute to high blood pressure. An increase in your blood pressure can put additional strain on your heart, as well as your veins and arteries. For these reasons, consuming 2000mg (2g) of sodium or less per day is recommended. Avoiding table salt, preparing foods without salt, and avoiding processed and canned foods are ways to help ease your sodium intake.

Limiting cholesterol is another important nutrition component. The body makes its own cholesterol. Therefore, cholesterol is not an essential part of any diet. Cholesterol is only found in animal products. It is high in products like eggs, chicken and beef. You should limit your intake of cholesterol to 300mg a day.

Another essential part of a heart healthy diet is fiber. Fiber is naturally found in fruit and vegetable products. Fiber has been shown to help lower cholesterol levels. There are two kinds of fiber, soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber is most helpful in reducing your cholesterol, acting as a kind of sponge to absorb cholesterol as it travels through your digestive system. Certain foods have more soluble fiber than others. Oatmeal, bananas, beans and barley are high in soluble fiber. An additional benefit to fiber is its possible role in weight loss. It can make you feel full, which will prevent overeating at meals.

Below is a chart of foods with their fiber content. Nutrition information may vary depending on amount of food and brands, so be sure to check the label.

For more information or to make an appointment please call 1-203-276-4777.

For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).