The 4 Main Heart Enemies
1) Salts 2) Sugars 3) Trans Fats 4) Physical inactivity
How much of your daily food & drink intake consists of the main heart enemies?
The American diet and lifestyle consists of so many things that are considered heart enemies. You often hear the phrase “sitting is the new smoking”. Add all the sitting Americans do with the bad eating habits. Everything convenient and considered delicious is probably a heart enemy.
Foods considered enemies of the heart
Sugars, salts & trans fats are destructive to the heart in two major ways. increased inflammation and raises blood pressure, increases LDL (bad cholesterol) and at the same time decreases HDL (good cholesterol).
1) It is almost a guarantee that commercially prepared foods are full of sugars, salts, and trans fats. 2) Commercially prepared foods likely use hydrogenated oil because it doesn’t spoil as quickly which allows the foods to have a longer shelf life, it is also what adds trans-fat. 3) It is also inexpensive. 4) Lots of sugar gives it that wonderful flavor with the added benefit of it being addictive. 5) Lots of salt also adds to the shelf life.
Foods & drinks commonly and frequently purchased from local grocery stores which fall in the heart enemy category (they are usually a heart enemy because of the amount and frequency consumed:
- Already prepared cakes, pies, cookies
- Loaves of bread
- Frozen foods such as pizza, deep fried items such as breaded meats, french-fries, etc.
- Ice cream
- Microwave popcorn
- Processed meat (lunchmeats, salami)
- Soda
- Energy drinks
- Donuts
- Non dairy coffee creamers
- Prepared doughs such as rolls, biscuits, and pie crusts
- Alcohol
- Margarine, butter
- Canned soups, beans, etc. (high sodium foods)
- Creamy dressings such as ranch or 1000 island
Resources:
UC Davis, Health, I’m a Cardiovascular Dietitian. Here Are 7 Things I Eat and Avoid For Heart Health, By Good Food Is Good Medicine, February 23, 2023
Last viewed: 20240223
WebMd, Heart Disease, Foods That Are Bad For Your Heart, Daphne Sashin, August 28, 2023, Medically Reviewed by Jabeen Begum, MD
https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/ss/slideshow-foods-bad-heart
Last viewed: 20240223