The Best Cardiac Diet

The best cardiac diet will help lower your "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and increase your "good" cholesterol (HDL). Promulgated by the American Heart Association, this diet involves eating a variety of heart-healthy foods and avoiding, or limiting, those that are heart-hindering. All the nutritious eating in the world will not matter if you do not prepare your food in a heart-healthy manner. Learn and use these methods.

Heart-Healthy Foods

Eat heart-healthy foods. The best cardiac diet is high in fiber, plant sterols and antioxidants. A heart-healthy diet is also low in dietary cholesterol and fat. Heart-healthy foods include whole grains such as oats, barley, whole wheat and brown rice; beans and lentils; low-fat protein sources such as poultry (without skin), fish and low-fat varieties of soy; seeds and nuts; healthy oils of the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated varieties; low-fat dairy foods, plus fruits and vegetables.

Eat foods containing plant sterols. According to the American Dietetic Association, plant sterols contain cholesterol-lowering properties and antioxidants. Soy foods such as tofu, tempeh, soybeans, soy milk and miso contain plant sterols. Other foods high in plant sterols include avocados, walnuts, ground flax seeds and sunflower seeds.

Eat oatmeal. According to the Mayo Clinic, the soluble fiber found in a bowl of oatmeal can reduce your LDL by 6 percent. Add some fresh apple or banana, sprinkle with cinnamon and top with low-fat dairy or soy milk and you have a heart-healthy way to start your day.

Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon is particularly beneficial, according to the USDA and the Mayo Clinic. Other foods high in omega-3 include herring, sardines, lake trout, mackerel and albacore tuna (if canned, in water). The USDA recommends eating at least two servings of fish weekly. Take fish-oil supplements if you do not like fish.

Eat your fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables, according to the USDA and the American Heart Association, contain both fiber and antioxidants.

Eat healthy oils. Extra virgin olive oil, a monounsaturated fat, is particularly beneficial for the best cardiac diet, according to the Mayo Clinic. Use it instead of butter. Other healthy oils include vegetable, canola, sunflower and peanut.

Not Heart-Healthy Foods

Avoid, or limit, harmful foods. The best cardiac diet recommends avoiding, or limiting, foods high in saturated and/or trans fats. These foods are known for increasing "bad" cholesterol in your bloodstream, according to the Mayo Clinic. Saturated fats are commonly found in animal products such as whole-fat dairy foods including butter and egg yolk; red meats; organ meats; deep-fried foods; processed foods and many fast foods.

Trans fats are found in foods containing shortening and/or partially hydrogenated oils, according to the Mayo Clinic, USDA and American Heart Association. These ingredients are usually found in commercially prepared baked goods such as pies, energy bars, pastries, cakes and cookies.

Healthy Cooking Methods

Learn about and use healthy cooking methods. The American Heart Association and the Mayo Clinic recommend using low-fat methods such as poaching, steaming, baking (without added oils) and grilling to receive the best results.