American Heart Association Statement: Dietary Guidelines to Improve Cardiovascular Health

Dietary Guidelines to Improve Cardiovascular Health: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association

Poor diet quality is strongly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This scientific statement highlights the importance of dietary patterns beyond individual foods or nutrients, highlights the critical role of nutrition in early life, presents elements of heart-healthy eating patterns, and highlights structural challenges that hinder adherence to heart-healthy eating patterns.

Evidence-based dietary pattern guidance for cardiometabolic health includes the following:

(1) Adjust energy intake and expenditure to achieve and maintain a healthy weight;

(2) Eat more fruits and vegetables;

(3) Choose whole grain foods and products;

(4) Choose healthy protein sources (plant-based; Regular intake of fish and seafood; Low-fat or fat-free dairy products; If meat or poultry is needed, choose lean meat and unprocessed forms);

(5) Use of liquid vegetable oils instead of tropical oils and partially hydrogenated fats;

(6) Choose minimally processed foods instead of ultra-processed foods;

(7) Minimize the intake of beverages and sugary foods;

(8) Select and prepare foods with little or no salt;

(9) If you don't drink, don't start; If you choose to drink alcohol, limit your intake;

(10) Follow these guidelines wherever food is prepared or eaten.

Challenges that hinder adherence to heart-healthy eating patterns include targeted marketing of unhealthy foods, neighbourhood segregation, food and nutritional insecurity, and structural racism. Creating an environment that promotes, rather than impedes, adherence to heart-healthy eating patterns for all people is a public health imperative.