What is a safe diet to loss weight with heart disease?

What a great question @barbarajane. I changed the title of your message to bring people into the conversation and tagging @cynaburst @HeartPatches @ricke62 @lepadelford.

You might find these links interesting:
- Connect Webinar: Weight Loss: 5 Behavioral Strategies for Success https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/interactive-webinar-weight-loss-5-behavioral-strategies-for-success/
- Dietician Blog: Nutrition & Food Myths: Juicing https://www.ellicsr.ca/en/connect_with_ELLICSR/ellicsr_blog/Pages/food_myths_juicing.aspx

Have you talked with a dietician about safe weight loss?

Colleen
Connect Community Director

Barbara Jane I suspect you are on a bunch of medications as well. I would think that before you started any weight loss plan, you should check in with your cardiologist. I personally think that any kind of extreme weight loss plan, like a fast which you are suggesting, is probably not for you.

I am also a heart patient and have had great success myself with Weight Watchers. I have kept off more than 30 lbs. for 5 years or so, and my cardiologist was very pleased with my success. It takes longer, but it helps you learn how to permanently change your eating habits in a healthy way, plus it is not extreme, so you are not putting an extra strain on your heart.

Good luck to you. I think that your plan to lose weight will only benefit your heart health. Just make sure you do it in a healthy way.

weight is very sensitive coming to cardiovascular diseases.am one myself and even if when am soo depressed i eat alot......i try as much as posible to make sure i eat correct.junk food and fatty foods with unsaturated fat,i try not to take such stuff.i infact prefer vegetables mostly.its a remedy for infact weight loss

Welcome to Connect @cynthiamary!
Eating a healthy heart diet definitely takes discipline, especially when you not feeling on top of the world. It's such a devil's circle. One feels down and it's too easy to reach for the junk food, which only makes one feel worse. I try to walk instead. I actually find that regular early morning walks lift my spirits, even if they're short. What tricks work for you?
May I ask what cardiovascular disease you are managing?

Hi, @barbarajane,
I also struggle with my weight. I have found it helpful to go see a nutritionist one-on-one. They will help you figure out how many carbs, fats, proteins, sugars, et cetera that you can take in. I exercise doing weights and elliptical now in the winter and love walking outside in the nicer weather (Minnesota). I also have learned to do interval training. I have CAD and another diagnosis, and yes it is a struggle and some days it is so hard. But know this also, it is okay to have a "bad" day sometimes. As if you completely cut out all the "bad" foods, you may have less success. So yes, occasionally, I will have a piece or two of pizza for a meal, but not in my diet on a regular basis. I have learned to not keep snacks in my house. I make a protein energy ball that lets me have my "sweet" but yet a fair healthy snack. The one thing I would like you to get out of my reply is " One day at a time, and sometimes you have to take it one hour, one minute, one second..at a time" Stay positive and know you are not alone!!!

Thank you<br />

My husband passed away and the next 6 years I ate my grief away. I had a heart attack recently because of it, before that I had my diet pretty well under control. There are certain nutrients we need especially with a damaged heart and certain supplements that we can't take or that's not good for an unhealthy heart. My advice is to definitely ask your cardiologist about talking to a dietitian or nutrition specialist, otherwise you will have to do the research yourself online. My heart attack was most severe and I was put on a six to eight carbohydrates, per day, sugar free diet. I lost 40 lb in 4 months and I'm still losing but more slowly now. We need to understand that weight loss takes time and effort it can be very difficult for some of us. Weight also comes off fast in the beginning and then slows to a crawl which can be discouraging. God bless you with your health and success in dieting.

I think weight loss can be very tough, especially as we age and with medical concerns as well. What has helped me most is to cut out almost all processed foods. Basically if it comes in a box, package or bag with an ingredient list, I avoid it. I make my own homemade bread now and follow a mostly Mediterranean diet. I find that portions are also key; I use smaller plates and then it looks way more full! I also try and eat heart healthy: chicken (white, no skin), turkey, eggs, fish, beans for protein, all organic fruits and veggies, sea salt and a tiny bit of table salt with iodine, all healthy grains: oats, almond and coconut flour, and others (as your tummy can handle), healthy fats such as olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocado (although I am allergic to these), and I only drink filtered water and herbal teas (no caffeine.). For a treat I make homemade almond cookies with fresh pumpkin and a touch of maple syrup. The treats I have now are fruits, a touch of maple syrup or honey, a little coconut sugar and dark chocolate with almonds. If we are going out, I always look ahead at the menu, to make sure I have heart healthy choices. And I often bring my own food to gatherings, no one seems to care and I focus on the visiting, not the eating and drinking. This is hard at times…but, I’ve lost 40 lbs in the last year and feel great! Sadly, my husband just had a heart attack and heart surgery and eats terribly and drinks a lot …he will have to change, but it’s his choice…I’m done being the mom and god police, lol!! Ok, hang in there!!

Also, I try to get to the gym 3x a week, and walk at least 1 mile a day, often more. Wearing a Fitbit or Apple Watch really motivates me too! If I sit too long, the Apple Watch will nudge you to stand and get up and move. It can also monitor your heart rate. Ok, hope this helps you and others on here!! Last tip is to stay grateful and connected to others! Social interaction and friends/family is key to longevity and health. Check out the Blue Zones…excellent resources and books!! Eat mostly plant based is their motto! Good luck!!! And, I lost a lot of my weight with intermittent fasting…really amazing!! Last tip, start and end each day with gratitude and prayer 🙏!! Holiday blessings to y’all!! Merry Christmas and have a healthy, safe 2024!! Mia 😎👍

Great advice and roadmap! Thanks and bless you

Happy Holidays.

Check out Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn and Dr. Dean Ornish diets for heart disease but discuss what you do with your doctor. Don't stop taking any medications unless your doctor tells you to do so.