Did you know that people with diabetes are up to 4 times likely to contract heart disease? The reasoning behind this is because certain conditions such as high blood pressure, abnormal sugar levels and obesity can be found in some diabetics which can affect the health of our hearts.
We are told that in order to keep out of the way of heart disease we should eat a well-balanced healthy diet. February is Heart Health Month and instead of giving in to boring, sometimes tasteless meals to keep your heart as healthy as possible, here is a list of 5 delicious foods that you may or may not know help fight heart disease.
Beef
Read meat is okay to eat just as long as it’s lean. Sirloin, tenderloin and anything above 95% lean is heart healthy and has the possibility of lowering the “bad” cholesterol. Just make sure to keep portions under control and don’t eat too much of it.
Coffee
Research shows that drinking coffee is beneficial to our health. Coffee contains a plant compound that studies have seen to help prevent heart disease. Don’t get carried away though, too much coffee can raise blood pressure. One way to keep coffee as healthy as possible is to drink it filtered rather than pressed and stay away from flavored syrups.
Popcorn
As convenient as it may be, stay away from prepackaged popcorn. These types of popcorn contain unhealthy fats and artificial coloring. Instead, pop your own popcorn! Popcorn kernels that you pop yourself contain a lot of antioxidants, which are beneficial for fighting against heart disease. Popping your own popcorn allows you to experiment different ways of making it. Try adding some olive oil to pop it and add some seasoning such as cayenne pepper, parmesan cheese or even nutmeg if you are craving something sweet.
Potatoes
Potatoes contain much needed nutrients, such as potassium, fiber and antioxidants that help keep our heart healthy. Similar to red meat, consume in moderation, and move away from the prepackaged kind.
Eggs
Eggs are a great way to start your day. One large egg contains 212 milligrams of cholesterol, 6 grams of protein and 1 gram of carbohydrate.
Remember, these are just a suggested list of foods, please consult your doctor before changing your diet. Your physician will be able to assist you and let you know what you should stay away from depending on your health.
Source:
https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/fight-off-heart-disease-five-heart-healthy-foods/
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/diabetes/why-diabetes-matters/cardiovascular-disease--diabetes
