What Foods Should You Not Eat if You Have Heart Disease? A Comprehensive Guide

October 20, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for U.S. adults. A critical component of managing this condition and preventing complications involves understanding what foods should you not eat if you have heart disease to minimize risks.

Quick Summary

This article outlines crucial dietary restrictions for managing heart disease, emphasizing the need to avoid high-sodium foods, processed meats, and unhealthy saturated and trans fats.

Key Points

High-Sodium Foods: Avoid canned soups, deli meats, frozen meals, and fast food, as high sodium can increase blood pressure and strain your heart.
Saturated and Trans Fats: Limit fatty red meats, full-fat dairy, fried foods, and packaged baked goods to prevent high LDL ("bad") cholesterol.
Added Sugars and Refined Carbs: Cut back on sugary drinks, candy, and white bread to control blood triglycerides and inflammation.
Processed Meats: Severely restrict or eliminate processed meats like bacon, sausage, and hot dogs due to their high sodium and preservative content, which links to increased heart disease risk.
Excessive Alcohol: Reduce alcohol intake to recommended moderate levels, as heavy drinking can increase blood pressure and damage the heart muscle.
Read Labels and Choose Whole Foods: Prioritize fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while scrutinizing food labels for hidden sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats.

The Critical Role of Diet in Heart Disease Management

Managing heart disease effectively requires more than just medication; diet plays a foundational role in controlling risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and inflammation. The accumulation of fatty deposits (plaque) in arteries, a process known as atherosclerosis, is a major cause of coronary artery disease. By eliminating or severely limiting certain foods, individuals can slow this progression and significantly reduce their risk of heart attack or stroke.

High-Sodium Foods to Avoid

Excessive sodium intake is a major contributor to high blood pressure, which forces the heart to work harder. To protect your heart, it is essential to drastically cut back on sodium. Most dietary sodium comes from processed and packaged foods, not just the salt shaker. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 mg of sodium a day, with an ideal limit of 1,500 mg for most adults, especially those with high blood pressure.

Foods high in sodium include:

Canned Soups and Vegetables: Often loaded with added salt for flavor and preservation.
Deli and Cured Meats: Processed meats like ham, bacon, and sausage contain high levels of sodium.
Frozen and Packaged Meals: "TV dinners" and other convenience foods are typically packed with sodium.
Condiments: Ketchup, mayonnaise, soy sauce, and salad dressings can add significant sodium.
Pickled and Brined Foods: The preserving process relies heavily on salt.
Restaurant Meals: Food prepared in restaurants often contains far more sodium than home-cooked alternatives.

Unhealthy Saturated and Trans Fats

Saturated and trans fats are particularly harmful for heart health because they increase LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, which contributes to plaque buildup in arteries. Trans fats are especially dangerous as they can also lower HDL ("good") cholesterol. While many countries have banned or restricted trans fats, they can still appear in products with "partially hydrogenated oils" listed on the ingredients.

Foods to avoid or limit:

Fatty Cuts of Red Meat: Beef, pork, and lamb are high in saturated fat.
Processed Meats: Hot dogs, bacon, and sausage are often made with the fattiest cuts of meat.
Full-Fat Dairy Products: Whole milk, full-fat cheese, butter, and ice cream are significant sources of saturated fat.
Fried Foods: French fries, fried chicken, and doughnuts are common sources of trans fats.
Many Baked Goods: Cookies, cakes, and pastries frequently use large amounts of butter, shortening, or hydrogenated oils.

Comparison of Unhealthy vs. Heart-Healthy Fats


Feature	Unhealthy Fats (Saturated & Trans)	Heart-Healthy Fats (Monounsaturated & Polyunsaturated)
Sources	Fatty meat, full-fat dairy, lard, fried food, baked goods, hydrogenated oils	Olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocado, oily fish, canola oil
Effect on LDL	Raises "bad" LDL cholesterol	Can help lower "bad" LDL cholesterol
Effect on HDL	Trans fats lower "good" HDL	Can help raise "good" HDL cholesterol
Physical State	Mostly solid at room temperature	Mostly liquid at room temperature
Cooking Method	Frying, baking, deep-frying	Sautéing, baking, broiling, as a dressing

Added Sugars and Refined Carbohydrates

Excessive intake of added sugars can raise blood triglyceride levels and contribute to weight gain, inflammation, and high blood pressure—all of which increase heart disease risk. The body also metabolizes sugar in a similar way to alcohol, overloading the liver. Refined carbohydrates, like white bread and pasta, are stripped of fiber and nutrients, causing rapid spikes in blood sugar and insulin.

Foods high in added sugar and refined carbs:

Sugary Drinks: Soda, sweetened fruit juices, and energy drinks.
Sweets and Candy: Candy bars, desserts, and sweetened snacks.
Many Breakfast Cereals: Especially those marketed to children.
Refined Grains: White bread, white pasta, and white rice.

Processed Meats: A Double Threat

Processed meats, such as sausage, hot dogs, and bacon, are particularly detrimental to cardiovascular health. Studies show that regular consumption significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality. This is due to a combination of high sodium content and harmful preservatives like nitrates, which can negatively impact blood vessel function. Even processed white meats, like deli turkey, can pose similar risks due to additives.

Limiting Alcohol Consumption

For individuals with heart disease, moderation is key when it comes to alcohol, and for some, abstinence may be recommended by a doctor. Heavy drinking is linked to high blood pressure, increased triglyceride levels, and a weakened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy). Binge drinking can cause an irregular heartbeat, known as 'holiday heart syndrome'.

Conclusion: Prioritize Whole Foods

Making heart-healthy dietary changes is a journey, but a crucial one for individuals with heart disease. The foundation of a heart-healthy diet is built on whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, as outlined by plans such as the DASH diet. By focusing on these foods and minimizing or eliminating high-sodium, high-fat, sugary, and processed items, you can effectively manage risk factors and support your long-term heart health. The goal is to make sustainable changes that reduce strain on your cardiovascular system and improve overall well-being. It is important to work with a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian to create a personalized eating plan that meets your specific needs.

Practical Advice for Healthy Eating

Read food labels carefully: Pay attention to sodium, total sugars, and added sugars. Check for "partially hydrogenated oils".
Cook more at home: This gives you complete control over ingredients and portion sizes, helping you reduce hidden salt and fat.
Flavor with herbs and spices: Use fresh herbs, garlic, onion powder, and spices instead of salt to enhance flavor.
Choose fresh or frozen: Opt for fresh or plain frozen fruits and vegetables over canned options with added sugar or sodium.
Seek healthier protein sources: Incorporate more beans, lentils, nuts, fish, and skinless poultry into your diet.
Plan your meals: Planning ahead can help you avoid unhealthy processed food choices when you're short on time.

Authoritative Outbound Link

For more information and resources on heart health, consult the official website of the American Heart Association (AHA), a leading authority on cardiovascular health. https://www.heart.org

Frequently Asked Questions

Excess sodium causes the body to retain fluid, which increases blood volume and puts extra pressure on your blood vessels. This raises blood pressure and forces the heart to work harder, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Yes, but in moderation. It's best to choose lean cuts of red meat and limit consumption to a few times per week. Processed red meats like bacon and hot dogs should be avoided entirely.

Saturated fats are typically solid at room temperature and primarily from animal products and tropical oils. Trans fats, often called "partially hydrogenated oils" on labels, are chemically altered fats found in many fried and baked goods. Trans fats are considered more harmful because they both raise bad LDL cholesterol and lower good HDL cholesterol.

Added sugars contribute to weight gain, increase blood triglyceride levels, and promote inflammation. A diet high in added sugar is associated with a higher risk of fatal heart disease.

Most ultra-processed foods are detrimental to heart health due to high levels of sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats. However, some minimally processed foods, like canned beans (if low sodium) or plain frozen vegetables, can be part of a heart-healthy diet.

Some studies have suggested a link between moderate red wine consumption and lower heart disease risk, but this is debated. Any potential benefits are far outweighed by the risks of alcohol consumption, and heart experts now agree that the safest level of alcohol intake is none at all.

Opt for snacks like unsalted nuts, fresh fruit, plain low-fat yogurt, or air-popped popcorn. These options avoid the high sodium, sugar, and saturated fats found in many commercial snacks.