As always check with your doctor and have appropriate blood work done before following any of the research suggestions from this or other sources. Congestive heart failure (CHF) occurs when the heart does not pump efficiently and is not able to deliver enough oxygen to the body. This guide provides basic information to help you start following, or continue following, your heart failure diet. Nutrition Tips for Congestive Heart Failure. Almost 6 million Americans have heart failure, and more than 870,000 people are diagnosed with heart failure each year. Nuts are rich with good-for-you fats, but try to switch from salted to unsalted ones. We'll tell you how to minimize extra fluid in … With congestive heart failure, or CHF, the heart has to work harder and is less efficient at delivering oxygen to the body. • Caution: Salt substitutes based on potassium such as “No Salt” or “Half Salt” are not recommended with some heart failure medications. Planning what you eat and balancing your meals are important ways to manage your health. For heart disease the research suggests that the following foods are appropriate and perhaps helpful to eat. If you have congestive heart failure, follow these nutrition guidelines: Check food labels, and bound salt and sodium to 1,500 to 2,000 milligrams per day. Blood can build up in different parts of the body, causing fluid accumulation in the lungs, arms, legs and gastrointestinal tract. If you eat too much salt or drink too much fluid, your body's water content may increase and make your heart work harder. Sodium-based Foods: It is very much essential for an individual to put a limit on the sodium intake, as it results in making your heart functions relatively harder. To eat a smart diet for heart disease, you need to take note of where salt slips into your diet unexpectedly. Eggs are usually considered to be healthy and a rich source of protein, which are commonly recommended to eat on a daily basis. Living with heart failure requires careful management of your symptoms and lifestyle. The condition is the leading cause of hospitalization in people over age 65. But, when it comes to heart … The following diet will help decrease some of your symptoms. Heart Disease, What Foods to eat and foods to avoid. The heart does not have to work as hard when you make some changes in your diet. If you have congestive heart failure, your doctor may have mentioned that you need to change your diet. Heart failure and aging. Reduce the Salt in Your Diet. Eating healthy often means making changes in your current eating habits. FOOD SODIUM (MG) FOOD SODIUM (MG) VEGETABLES FRUIT Fresh or frozen ½ c 1-70 Fresh, frozen, canned, ½ c 0-5 heart health but no specific benefits have been found for those with heart failure. 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