A healthy diet for those who have atherosclerosis is one that is low in fat and cholesterol.
Tips for adhering to a low fat diet include:
- Control calories:
- Eat just enough calories to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat quality fats:
- Use virgin olive oil and other unsaturated, low-cholesterol fats.
- Eat the right amount of fats, carbohydrates and protein:
- Limit your fat intake to 20 or 30 percent, but don't substitute simple carbohydrates for fat.
- Less than 7% of the day's total calories from saturated fat.
- Up to 10% of the day's total calories from polyunsaturated fat.
- Up to 20% of the day's total calories from monounsaturated fat
- Avoid fad diets:
- Eat a well-rounded diet instead.
- Eat small, frequent meals.
- Avoid large and heavy meals.
- Limit cholesterol in diet:
- To less than 200 milligrams a day.
- Limit iron intake:
- Too much iron can increase atherosclerosis.
- Eat enough dietary fiber:
- Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables
- Eat more soy
- Reduce salt in your diet
- Optimal: no more than 1,500 milligrams per day.
- Check with your doctor about supplementing your diet with B vitamins:
Key Dietary Recommendations for Chronic Disease Prevention| Nutrient | Recommendation |
| Energy (calories) | to maintain BMI of < 25 |
| Total fats | less than or equal to 30% of total daily calories |
| Saturated fats | less than 7% of total daily calories |
| Polyunsaturated fats | less than 10% of total daily calories |
| Monounsaturated fats | less than 13% of total daily calories |
| Cholesterol | less than or equal to 300 mg per day |
| Dietary fiber | 25-30 grams per day or 10-13 g/1000 cals |
| Insoluble / soluble fiber | 3:1 |
| Sodium | less than or equal to 1,500 mg per day |
| Calcium 9-24 yrs | 1,200-1,500 mg per day |
| Calcium 25-50 yrs | 1,000 mg per day |
| Calcium 51-65 yrs | 1,200 mg per day |
| Calcium >65 yrs | 1,500 mg per day |
| Vitamin D 9-50 yrs | 5 ug per day |
| Vitamin D 51-70 yrs | 10 ug per day |
| Vitamin D >70 yrs | 15-20 ug per day |
| Folic acid | 400 ug per day |
| Fruits & vegetables | 5-7 servings per day |
| Alcohol (men) | less than or equal to 2 drinks per day* |
| Alcohol (women) | less than or equal to 1 drinks per day* |
(*) One drink = 12 oz beer or 4 oz wine or 1 oz of distilled spirits
ug = micrograms
