The untimely death of the actor Sidharth Shukla has Heart health in focus. We do enough to take care of ours heart? Which lifestyle habits affect our heart? Our diet plays an important role in our overall health, and changing our eating habits early on can go a long way in protecting against deadly diseases.
Prominent nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar has highlighted the importance of homemade food, local ingredients, and seasonal fruits enough in her videos. On the occasion of the National Nutrition Week 2021, she and her team posted videos to break the myth around nutrition and provide simple tips that will help you lead a healthier lifestyle.
In one of the videos, nutritionist Jinal Shah from Diwekar’s team talks about foods that must be consumed for better heart health and blood pressure control.
1. Nuts: Shah suggests that peanuts, coconuts, and cashews are great for heart health and a very convenient snack.
Peanuts: Peanuts, which are high in heart-healthy fats, also help lower bad LDL cholesterol, making them good for heart health. They are a cheap, convenient, and healthy snack option for those looking to lower their risk of heart disease.
Cashews: Due to their high magnesium content, they improve the quality of sleep and help you relax. When you’re rested and relaxed, your heart works better and your blood pressure is regulated.
Coconut: The coconut is great in taste and full of nutrients and increases physical endurance as well as mental strength and is very good for people with heart problems or high blood pressure. Garnish on poha, use in Ladoo or mix in chutney.
2. Ghee: Part of the Panchamruts, ghee is an excellent source of good fats and will help you feel full after a meal. If you put ghee on your roti, you would not crave sweets, tea & coffee or a cigarette. Consuming ghee in your meals can help solve the problem of constipation and hyperacidity for many people.
3. Fresh, local and seasonal fruit: Chikoo, banana, pumpkin, and other seasonal fruits must be consumed for good heart health. Eating seasonal fruits is important to preserve the myriad of micronutrients that improve heart health and overall strength. A good time to eat fruit is in the morning, between meals during the day, or before and after your workout.
4.Salt when cooking: Our enemy is not salt, but packaged food. Chips, cookies, so-called low-fat and high-fiber packaged products are high in preservatives that are bad for heart function. Salt in normal cooking, on the other hand, is perfectly fine. If you salt Sabzis less, the feeling of satiety is missing. Be careful not to sprinkle salt on your salad.
Aside from these foods, regular exercise of 150 minutes a week and 7-8 hours of sleep is important to keep heart disease and high blood pressure at bay.
