Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Replace saturated (bad) fats with unsaturated (good) fats to lower risk of heart disease and diabetes

Recommended For

Acute coronary syndrome, Atherosclerosis, Clogged coronary arteries, Coronary artery disease, Hardening of arteries , Ischemia, Plaque.

Diet Goals

Low saturated fat

  • Limit saturated and trans fats to lower cholesterol
  • Increase fiber to decrease cholesterol
  • Low sodium helps lower BP and heart disease risk
80% of heart disease could be prevented or even reversed with diet and lifestyle changes. Start with simple changes to get big benefits

Food Recommendations

Foods to Eat

Fruits, Vegetables: Berries, avocado, leafy greens, carrots
Fish 2 x week: Salmon, bass, cod, crab, scallops, shrimp
Lean meats: Chicken, turkey, fish, tuna, shrimp, pork chops
Nuts, Seeds: Chia seeds, flax, pepitas, almonds, walnuts
Low fat dairy: Skim, 1% milk, yogurt, cheeses, buttermilk
Whole grains: Whole wheat bread & pasta, oatmeal, popcorn, quinoa, brown rice

Foods to Avoid

Fried foods: Pan fried or deep fried in hot oil or butter
Alcohol: Beer, wine, liquor, canned alcohol drinks
High sodium: Deli meat, soup, cheese, pizza, salty nuts & snacks
Saturated fats: Beef, lamb, pork, full fat dairy, butter, pastry, pie, biscuits
Full fat dairy: Whole milk, yogurt, butter, cheese
Restaurant, Fast food: High in fat, salt, sugar, sauces, fried food

Diet Rules

Additional Information

Research

Following the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet for 6 weeks led to significant reductions in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, major risk factors for clogging arteries in heart disease.
Studies show lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol can reduce the risk of dying from heart attacks; high levels of HDL (good) cholesterol remove cholesterol and plaque.
TLC linked to weight loss; decreased risk of T2 diabetes and/or coronary heart disease; health risks increase with weight increase.

Caveats

Controllable risk factors for heart attack: High BP, high cholesterol, overweight, inactivity, diabetes, smoking.
Saturated fat increases cholesterol level most; cholesterol from diet has minimal effect on levels.
Losing just 5-10 lbs can lower your cholesterol and triglycerides.
Regular exercise affects cholesterol level and overall heart health; add 30 mins of walking per day.

References

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