The easier it is to enjoy delicious, though low-fat or non-fat foods, the easier it will be to make dietary modifications that you can live with. The food industry has responded to an increasing public demand for heart-healthy foods, and new ones enter the market each week.
You can choose from products such as the low-kilojoule main meals such as Lean Cuisine, low-fat and even non-fat cheeses, reduced fat and reduced sodium margarines, egg substitutes, and anything from the Weight Watcher’s range of products. Just check on the label for the red tick, which indicates that the food item has a seal of approval from the Australian Heart Foundation.
Using these and other products makes life a lot more enjoyable.
After all, eating is one of the joys of life. The trick to following a heart-healthy diet is to get rid of the fat and keep the fun and flavour!
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Cardio & Blood/ Cholesterol
Bonnie Farrell, RN, who heads up the nursing staff at the Heart t Institute of the Desert in Rancho Mirage, California, warns about trusting cholesterol tests taken shortly after heart attack or bypass. Both those cardiac events are known to lower cholesterol levels significantly, but only on a temporary basis.
A test taken about two months after the event should provide more accurate information. In the meantime, you should continue to stay on a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.
Ms Farrell also describes a frequent scenario in which the patient’s cholesterol level is normal even after eating a regular diet in the hospital and consuming high-fat foods at home during the weeks following hospital discharge. Not only must one consider the cholesterol fluctuation mentioned above, but also the appetite decreases during those first weeks. Many patients lose weight, simply because they’re not eating as much as before. Even though you might think that you’re eating a lot of fat, the actual intake is likely to be lower. But when the appetite returns, fat intake—and cholesterol levels—are likely to rise unless you make some significant dietary modifications.
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Cardio & Blood/ Cholesterol
