As a health professional, you may already be well aware that when nutrition clients suffer from things like diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and weight gain, a major concern is the health of their heart.

After all, heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. That’s why it’s essential for dietitians and nutritionists to provide their clients with heart-healthy nutrition programs to get them on the right track.

Why are healthy arteries important?

Arteries carry blood away from the heart and to the rest of the body. This carries oxygen and nutrients to the rest of the body and helps expel blood from the heart. Without properly functioning arteries, the body can’t properly operate.  

An unhealthy diet can lead to plaque build-up in the arteries. With time, this will lead to an artery that is clogged. And when arteries narrow, patients experience everything from chest pain, shortness of breath, or a blood clot that can lead to a heart attack.

People don’t think they’re vulnerable to heart disease when they’re young. But artery blockage can start as early as the early 20s, even though damage often isn’t noticed until much later. . So there’s no time like the present to start your clients on a heart-healthy diet.

Signs of unhealthy arteries

As time passes and the arteries become more unhealthy, symptoms begin to appear. Here are a few of the common indications that a nutrition client should switch to a heart-healthy diet as soon as possible:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Arrhythmia (Abnormal heart rhythm)
• Lower back pain (The arteries leading to the lower back are often the first to accumulate plaque)
• Erectile dysfunction
• Heart attack
• Stroke

The best foods to support a healthy heart

Diet makes a huge impact on heart health. According to Harvard Health, “People with [heart-healthy] diets  had a 31% lower risk of heart disease, a 33% lower risk of diabetes, and a 20% lower risk of stroke.”

A heart healthy diet should always begin with whole, nutrient rich foods. Many people eat diets that are extremely processed and are depleted of vitamins and minerals. They’ve forgotten how good real nutritious foods can be.

Clients need help understanding which foods will best support a heart healthy lifestyle. These are a few foods that can get them started on a heart-healthy eating plan:

Fatty fish

Think of salmon, tuna, or mackerel. These are a great source of protein, and are filled with lots of needed omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s have shown in many studies to be very supportive of heart health.

Berries

These are great sources of antioxidants that help fight against inflammation and help support against damage to the arteries.

Flax seeds

These foods are especially good for vegetarians who can’t get their omega-3s from fish. They contain alpha-linolenic acid which the body can potentially convert into omega-3 fatty acids.

Leafy greens

These are great because they are packed with lots of vitamins and minerals, as well as those anti-inflammatory antioxidants.

Beans

Not only are these packed with fiber and other nutrients, they are a good source of protein without much of the artery-clogging fats of animal protein.

Nuts and seeds

These are full of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. They help lower bad (LDL) cholesterol, and raise good (HDL cholesterol).

Cruciferous vegetables

These are vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts. They are full of fiber which can help lower blood pressure. Plus they are shown to be generally heart healthy.

Turmeric

This powerful anti-inflammatory spice can be cooked with food or taken as a supplement. It helps repair damage done to the arteries, and is generally healing.

Avocado

These have mono and poly-saturated fats. Just like nuts and seeds, avocados help lower the bad cholesterol and raise the good cholesterol. Plus, they’re a good source of fiber.

Oats

The fiber in oats has shown to be healing to the arteries and help lower bad cholesterol. As a bonus, they contain antioxidants that can also be anti-inflammatory and healing.

Meal Garden’s Healthy Heart Program

It’s amazing how people can make better choices when given enough proper guidance. Nutrition clients want to live healthier lives, but they often lack the tools, understanding, and ability to change behaviors enough to get there.

Meal Garden’s Healthy Heart Program supports clients with lots of heart healthy recipes, meal plans, and other informative resources to get them in the right direction. This is the exact information they need to become healthier. .

Help clients take the next step. Give them the tools and recipes they need to succeed.

They can do it. All they need is a little guidance and direction from you. Now sit back and watch them live their best lives!

inspiration

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