BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — Take good care of your heart by maintaining a healthy lifestyle especially a heart-healthy eating habit, doctors remind anew as the country celebrates Heart Month this February.
“Allow yourself an occasional treat. Eat what your heart desire but remember every day is not an occasion. Allow yourself an indulgence every now and then. What is important is that you eat healthy foods most of the time,“ Dr. Karla Rhea Rillera – Posadas, a cardiologist at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC), advised during the Department of Health-led Kapihan sa Baguio forum here on Wednesday (February 5).
“The food, diet that we take consists of a very huge chunk on how we can have a healthy heart. Kahit mag-exercise tayo, kahit uminom pa tayo ng mga gamot (even if we exercise, even if take medicines), if our diet is very unhealthy you are just defeating the purpose,” Posadas explained.
She said most of the hospital admissions now are heart- related such as hypertension, Ischaemic heart disease and stroke, and patients are observed as living in with unhealthy diet.
For a heart- healthy diet, Posadas shared some tips. In terms of the amount of food intake, control food portion sizes.
“Use a small plate or bowl to help control your portions,” she said.
In terms of healthy diet, “eat more low calorie, nutrient-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables. Eat smaller amounts of high-calorie, high sodium foods such as refined, processed or fast foods.”
In eating more vegetables and fruits, she advised fresh or frozen, low sodium canned vegetables, canned fruit packed in juice or water. Limit or do not pick coconut, veggies with creamy sauces, fried or breaded vegetables, canned fruit packed in heavy syrup.
Posadas also advised to select whole grains like whole wheat flour, whole grain or wheat bread, high fiber cereals, or whole grains such as brown rice, barley and buck wheat.
Limit unhealthy fats such as butter, lard, bacon fat, gravy, cream sauce, non-dairy creamers, hydrogenated margarine and shortening, cocoa butter found in chocolate.
Choose low fat protein like olive oil, canola oil, vegetable and nut oils, cholesterol lowering and trans fat free margarines, nuts, seeds and avocado. Also, reduce sodium intake, she added.
The DOH-CAR led media forum also promoted other February health events that include National Health Insurance Month, National Rare Disease Week and National Cancer Awareness Month. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
