At the Cardiac Center of Texas we regularly hold “group health appointments” led by a
licensed dietitian. We offer this unique service to our patients because we know all too well the impact diet and lifestyle can have on their cardiovascular health. There is a lot of information out there and we want to make sure patients understand how to incorporate heart healthy nutrition and lifestyle modifications into their daily life for improved heart health.
We took notes from our most recent class to share with you:
Today’s topic of discussion was the common habits of grocery shopping and list of common grocery items.We also discussed the methods by which the shop owners place the produce and items so as to sell us what we don’t need. To trick us and entice us to buy most of the things we see.
We can prevent catastrophic disease by eating right and exercising regularly.
We discussed the importance of doing regular daily exercise and not focusing on weight loss as the ultimate outcome. Doing regular exercise help prevent heart disease even if the patient is not losing weight. Exercise helps even if the patient is not realizing it. The problem arises when people tend to see weight loss as the healthy outcome of exercise. This is not true. Regular daily exercise helps irrespective of weight loss.
We recommended daily exercise that will reduce his risk of significant CAD in future.
We have discussed significance of healthy diet including lean proteins, vegetables and fluids and avoid extensive use of carbs and unsaturated fats.
Fava beans have the most potent anti oxidant and anti cancer properties.
Dr. Oz also had a whole program on Fava beans.
Discussed how we can modify and change the “To Go Food” recipe so that we can have a healthy snack. We recommended going online to the respective restaurant website and study the menu to make a healthy snack. For example, going to chipotle, subway, etc.
We discussed different food, snack food and fast food options. Dietary therapy including AHA diet emphasized to patient. Patient instructed to avoid saturated fat and high cholesterol diet.
We also discussed how the preservatives in the meat are one of the main culprits for developing heart disease and colon cancer.There are certain food chains which are using farm raised meat. There are one or two fast food chains, including Chipotle which are using non processed meat. Few other chains are considering adopting the practice.
We provided the patients with list of local grocery stores and the names of healthy food options. Different food options discussed and all questions were answered.
If this sounds like information you would benefit from, call us and ask us about our “group health appointments” 972-529-6939.
