Heart failure diets vary based on severity, with sodium restrictions ranging from 3,000mg to none. Patients should avoid salty foods and limit pickled and canned meats, and use spices instead of salt. Following the diet can improve heart function and overall health.
The different types of a heart failure diet largely depend on the severity of the patient’s condition. Doctors often recommend diets that are 3,000 milligrams (mg) or 2,000 milligrams of sodium, but may prescribe a completely sodium-restricted heart failure diet. Patients with an extreme heart condition are sometimes placed on a fluid-restricted diet. One of the most important reasons for a heart failure diet is to reduce the work the heart has to do, and avoiding certain foods can help prevent blockages in the arteries of the heart.
A patient on a 3,000 mg sodium diet should focus their food choices on fruit juice, enriched white or wheat bread, low-sodium salad dressing, fresh beef, sweet potatoes, and fresh vegetables. Foods to avoid include vegetable juices, breads and crackers with added salt, salad dressings, and any salty pork products. Patients should also limit their consumption of sauerkraut or other pickled vegetables, as well as smoked, cured, or canned meats.
The 2,000 mg sodium diet is similar to the 3,000 mg diet, but patients should be aware of how much sodium is in each of their foods. These meals are typically bland and may include boiled skinless chicken breast, brown rice, steamed broccoli, and apples. Patients should avoid the same foods as the 3,000 mg sodium diet, and also add malted milk or shakes, instant hot cereal or pancakes, instant pudding, and salt-processed fruit and cake mixes. Intake of hot dogs, hot dogs, crabs, lobsters, and vegetables that have been canned or frozen in sauce should also be limited.
A teaspoon of salt typically has more than 2,000 milligrams of sodium, but other spices can be substituted for flavor. Patients on a heart failure diet should try garlic, basil, curry, pepper, or other spices that don’t include salt in the mix. Purchasing patterns must also be adjusted, and patients must pay close attention to labels for sodium content and other nutritional values.
A heart failure diet should be closely followed, even when eating out. Through self-education on recognizing high-sodium foods, a patient can determine if the foods on a menu are right for her needs or if she can order fresh vegetables and other low-sodium foods. A positive change in diet can improve heart function, reduce shortness of breath, and improve the general health of the patient. If a patient notices that she is retaining fluids, often marked by swollen ankles and sudden weight gain after a meal, sodium should be further restricted and a doctor consulted.
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