Get a FREE handbook
Heart-healthy eating
These days, you seem to see the words “heart-healthy” everywhere. For people with Heart Failure, a key element of a healthy diet is monitoring the amount of salt you take in.
Eating less salt
Too much salt can cause your body to retain water, which can create an added burden on your heart.
What’s your salt limit?
Your doctor may give you a salt limit measured in milligrams (mg) of sodium per day. Ordinary table salt is 40% sodium, which equals less than one teaspoon of salt a day. Try using spices and herbs instead of salt to give your food more flavor.
Embrace a low-salt diet
When your doctor asks you to adopt a low-salt diet, it may mean changing a lifetime of eating habits. Start with this collection of appetizing recipes.
Eating Heart-healthy Starts in the Kitchen
Here are hundreds of delicious low-sodium recipes that prove low salt doesn’t mean no flavor.
Before you buy the food, check the label
At the supermarket, take a few seconds to read the nutrition labels.
Avoid packaged and prepared foods, like frozen dinners—as well as convenient grab-and-go standbys high in salt, like:
Bread, rolls, bagels
Cold cuts and cured meats
Pizza
Soup
Sandwiches
Poultry
Sneaky salts
Even if you’re not adding salt to your food, sodium has a way of sneaking into your diet. Takeout food, processed foods, even “low-calorie” meals may contain too much salt. Try using spices and herbs to give your food a little flavor.
Add these foods to your shopping list*
Healthy eating with Heart Failure is about eating less of the foods that are bad for your heart, and more of the important nutrients, such as these.
Vegetables
Dark green leafy vegetables; Green beans; Peas; Red/orange vegetables like peppers and carrots
Fruits
Apples; Oranges; Pears; Berries; Avocados
Whole Grains
Oatmeal; Brown rice; Quinoa; Bulgur wheat
Seafood
Salmon; Trout; Tuna; Sardines; Substitute fish for meat or poultry twice a week
Nuts & Seeds
Walnuts; Sunflower seeds; Unsalted almonds; Pistachios
Olive Oil
Use instead of solid fats like butter or margarine
Dairy
Skim milk; Low-fat yogurt; Low-fat cheese
*Talk to your doctor about whether you’re getting the right nutrition and whether you should get advice from a dietitian or nutritionist.
Want more ideas on better eating with Heart Failure?
For suggestions on eating healthier and a useful guide on calculating salt content, register for the Keep It Pumping resource program, including your free Heart Failure Handbook.
Sign up for a free Heart Failure Handbook
Get a free Heart Failure Handbook when you register for the Keep It Pumping support program. It’s filled with useful tips and tools to help you manage the condition.
Start prepping for the conversation
Get a Doctor Discussion Guide for a personalized conversation that can help you and your doctor decide on the best ways to manage your Heart Failure.