Patients should limit fried foods, processed foods, and alcohol to avoid cardiovascular complications during and after Tet.
Master, Doctor, CKII Nguyen Thi Ngoc, Cardiovascular Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that maintaining a healthy diet is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of heart disease or dangerous complications. Doctors recommend that people with cardiovascular disease choose healthy foods and limit some of the following foods and drinks during Tet.
Should avoid
Chung cake, tet cake
Banh chung and banh tet, with main ingredients of sticky rice and fatty meat, contain a lot of sugar, salt and harmful fats that are not good for people with high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. People with cardiovascular disease should only eat a small amount of these two types of cakes during Tet.
People with heart disease should eat less banh chung. Photo: Freepik
Processed foods
Sausages, ham, bacon, sausages, and Chinese sausages contain saturated fat that increases bad cholesterol (LDL-c) and triglycerides, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Processed foods high in salt also increase blood pressure, making it difficult to control target levels. High blood pressure directly affects the blood vessels of the heart, causing the blood vessel walls and the heart to work harder. Over time, the heart muscle structure thickens, leading to myocardial hypertrophy, which can lead to heart failure and stroke.
Fried food
Eating a lot of fried foods increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. These are risk factors for cardiovascular disease that can lead to heart failure.
Dr. Ngoc recommends that families use olive oil or vegetable oils for frying because they contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that are good for the heart.
Pickled onions, pickled vegetables
Vietnamese people have the habit of eating banh chung and banh tet with pickled shallots, pickled onions, and pickled vegetables to reduce the feeling of fullness. However, people with cardiovascular disease should avoid these dishes. Fermented foods and foods containing a lot of salt and sugar increase blood pressure and make it difficult to control blood sugar in diabetics.
Jams
Coconut jam, pumpkin jam, lotus seed jam contain a lot of fat and refined sugar, eating a lot can easily cause overweight, increase fat storage and lipid disorders. These are risk factors for cardiovascular disease that can lead to stroke and heart attack.
Carbonated drinks
People who drink a lot of carbonated water, canned juice, and soda are prone to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. These drinks contain sugar as the main ingredient. Drinking a lot of them increases blood sugar and bad cholesterol, accelerating the process of atherosclerosis.
Ale
Men should have no more than two drinks a day and women should limit themselves to one drink a day. Drinking too much alcohol increases the risk of cardiovascular disease including high blood pressure, obesity, and stroke.
People with high blood pressure or high triglycerides can harm their heart even if they drink moderate amounts of alcohol.
Should eat
Vegetables and fruits
Diets rich in fruits and vegetables have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease. Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and antioxidants, which help prevent damage to arteries and control blood cholesterol.
Whole grains
Oats, quinoa, and brown rice are rich in fiber, which helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Dr. Ngoc cited studies showing that replacing refined grains with whole grains can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
Nuts
Walnuts, chestnuts, almonds, and cashews contain lots of protein, vitamins, and fiber that help regulate the cardiovascular system and prevent plaque from forming in the artery walls - the cause of cardiovascular disease.
Fatty fish
Salmon, mackerel, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
Doctor Ngoc recommends that people with underlying cardiovascular disease or risk factors for cardiovascular disease should have their heart health checked before the long holiday to regulate their diet and rest properly during Tet.
Ha Vu
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