7 foods cardiologists love that won't bore you to tears
Key Points:
- Dr. Evan Shlofmitz, an interventional cardiologist, highlights that cravings for French fries and bacon pose heart health risks due to their high saturated fat, sodium, and trans fat content, which elevate LDL cholesterol and blood pressure.
- He recommends healthier food swaps and preparation methods, such as air frying and choosing plantain chips over potato chips, to reduce intake of unhealthy fats and increase fiber consumption.
- Other suggested swaps include adding cinnamon to coffee instead of cream and sugar, using seasoned olive oil instead of creamy dressings, and replacing salt with miso paste for flavor with less sodium.
- For desserts, Shlofmitz advises portion control and healthier options like frozen fruit pops with natural ingredients, and for protein, substituting red and processed meats with fish such as rainbow trout or plant-based proteins like beans and tofu.
- Whole-grain or sprouted multi-grain breads are preferred over refined breads for their fiber content, which supports cholesterol management and blood sugar stability, and consulting a registered dietitian is recommended for personalized nutritional guidance.