Healthy Eating for Cardiac
Rehabilitation
Harriet Hale – Acute Dietitian
Contents
• Why is diet important
• The cardio – protective diet
• Lifestyle modifications
• Meal plan example
• Summary
Aims and objectives
• To increase awareness of healthy eating
• To increase knowledge of the cardioprotective
diet
• To be aware of dietary and lifestyle risk factors
Why is diet important?
• Following a cardioprotective diet can help to
improve your recovery and reduce your
chance of a further cardiac event.
• Improves mental health
The EatWell guide
Fruit and Vegetables
• It's recommended that you eat at
least 5 portions of fruit and
vegetables every day.
• They can be fresh, frozen, canned,
dried or juiced. 1 portion is a
handful, or 3 tablespoons, 150ml or
80g.
• Try to vary the types of fruit & veg
you eat.
• Fruits and vegetables are good
sources of fibre and micronutrients
Starchy Carbohydrates
• This food group includes
breads, rice, pasta, couscous
and potatoes.
• These foods are your body’s
main source of energy and you
should try to eat some at every
meal.
• Choose wholegrain or
wholemeal varieties such as
brown rice. They contain more
fibre, and usually more vitamins
and minerals, than white
varieties.
• Potatoes with the skins on are a
great source of fibre and
vitamins.
Proteins
Fish Dairy and alternatives
Fresh, frozen or canned fish all count. Remember fish canned This includes milk and milk products, like cheese, cream,
in brine and smoked fish are high in salt. Oily fish are good yoghurt, fromage frais, and soya, rice and nut-based milk
sources of omega -3 fats which are good for your heart – try alternatives.
to have at least one portion each week.
Dairy foods are a good source of protein and calcium which is
Beans and Pulses important for strong bones and teeth. However, the fat
Beans and pulses are naturally low in fat and high in fibre, so content in dairy foods varies, and they're often high in
are a filling protein choice. They're an important protein saturated fat.
source if you don’t eat meat, fish or dairy products.
Nuts and Seeds Easy changes:
These are high in fibre and contain healthy unsaturated fats. • Milk - Go for semi skimmed, 1% or skimmed.
But make sure you eat no more than a handful a day as they
• Yoghurt - Go for natural or low fat yoghurts with no
are still high in calories. Choose the unsalted varieties.
added sugar.
Meat
• Cheese - Choose reduced fat options like reduced fat
Some types of meat are high in saturated fat. The type of cheddar
meat you choose and the way you cook it can make a
• Cream - Choose single instead of double cream.
difference:
• Choose leaner meats where possible and avoid adding
extra fat or oil when cooking - grill instead of frying.
• Cut the fat off meat, remove the skin from chicken.
• Limit processed meats such as sausages, bacon and
cured meats.
Fats
• Too much saturated fat can increase the amount of
cholesterol in the blood, which can increase the risk of
developing coronary heart disease. Replace saturated fats
with small amounts of mono and polyunsaturated fats.
• Cut down on foods containing trans fats as these raise the
amount of cholesterol in the blood.
• It's also important to remember that all fats and oils are
high in calories, so even the unsaturated fats should only be
used in small amounts.
Different types of fat
Sugar
• In nature, foods containing sugars • Many processed foods have added
usually also contain fibre, vitamins sugars (biscuits, cakes, sweets,
and minerals and are diluted by drinks, chocolate, cereals)
water (e.g fruit and veg) and are • Also known as glucose, sucrose,
not harmful maltose, corn syrup, honey,
• Processing means that it’s easy to hydrolysed starch, fructose
extract the sugar and leave the • Try limiting the amounts of these
fibre and nutrients behind foods that you have in your diet.
• Too much sugar is linked to heart
disease, diabetes, weight gain and
tooth decay
Salt
• Recommended intake is <6 g /day
• Our bodies need even less than this
• High intake can lead to increased
blood pressure
• Try not to add salt in cooking or at the table, cut
down on salty snacks, be sparing with stock cubes.
• Alternative flavourings – herbs, spices, lemon juice,
pepper, vinegar
Alcohol
• Guidelines are 14 units for both men and women
• Your advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units weekly
• Try to have at least 2-3 alcohol-free days each week
• Alcohol is also high in calories so can lead to weight gain.
Food Labelling
Obesity
Exercise
• Adult exercise recommendations:
• Be physically active every day
• Do at least 150 minutes of moderate
intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of
vigorous intensity activity a week
• Reduce time spent sitting or lying down
and break up long periods of not moving
with some activity.
Example meal plan
Breakfast – porridge made with skimmed milk
with fresh fruit
Lunch – chicken and salad sandwich on
wholemeal bread
Afternoon snack – handful of nuts
Dinner – baked salmon, new potatoes and
assorted roasted vegetables
Dessert – low fat yoghurt with fresh fruit and
chocolate chips
Useful Links
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/publications/healthy-eating-and-drinking/eat-better
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/healthy-living/managing-your-weight
https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/food-facts-portion-sizes.html
https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/fruit-and-vegetables-how-to-get-five-a-day.html
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/risk-factors/high-cholesterol
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/healthy-living/staying-active/exercise-calorie-calculator
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/publications/healthy-eating-and-drinking/taking-control-of-food-
portions-and-labels
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/healthy-living/healthy-eating
SUMMARY
• Aim to follow a balanced diet
• Include plenty of fruit and veg
• Include fibrous foods
• Reduced saturated fats and replace
with mono & poly unsaturated fats
• Reduce salt intake
• Reduce free sugar intake
• Alcohol in moderation
• Increase physical activity
