Atherosclerosis diet

The atherosclerosis diet is similar to those recommended for
other conditions associated with heart disease (eg hyperlipidemia
and hypertension. The aim is to adopt a healthy diet which will
prevent further development of coronary heart disease.

The diet:

• Is similar to a Mediterranean-style diet 
• Includes large amounts of fresh fruits (2 servings per day) and
  vegetables (5 servings per day)
• Limits the intake of meat, particularly red meat (1 serving per
  day) 
• Increases consumption of grains and cereals (4-9 servings per
  day) 
• Includes non-fat or low-fat milk and dairy products (2 servings
  per day) 
• Recommends limiting alcohol intake (a maximum of 2 standard
  drinks for men and 1 for women per day).

The diet excludes: 

• Foods high in cholesterol – offal meats, eggs, cream, shell
  fish etc.
• Fatty take-away foods, fried foods, cakes, biscuits, pastries
  and chocolate
• Frying foods or using breadcrumbs

Try to make the following changes to your
diet:

• Include omega-3 fatty acids in your diet (eg. fish, canola
  oil)
• Reduce total fat by only choosing lean meats and always cut
  visible forms of fat away
• Reduce the total fat in your diet, particularly saturated
  fat
• Limit the amount of salt in your daily diet 
• Select items with the Heart Foundation tick, which suggests the
  product is good for promoting a healthy heart.

Sample daily diet

Breakfast

1 glass of freshly squeezed orange juice 

1 bowl of porridge with honey and banana 

1 slice of wholemeal toast topped with tomato 

Snack

1 tub of low-fat yoghurt 

1 cup of tea or coffee

1 slice of fruit bread with thin spread of jam

Lunch

Tuna salad 

1 wholemeal roll 

Snack

2 slices of wholemeal toast with low-fat cheese melted on
top 

1 cup of tea or coffee

Dinner

2 grilled chicken shashlicks with capsicum and onions served
on a bed of couscous 

1 Greek salad 

1 glass of red wine or dark grape juice

Recipe 

Tuna salad

1 cup of lettuce leaves

1 can of tuna (drained and flaked)

2 boiled potatoes (skins on)

1 large tomato cut into wedges

½ cup of Kalamata olives

1 cup of green beans

1 sprig of fresh parsley

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

Place lettuce in salad bowl and add rest of ingredients. Mix all
ingredients together and add olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Total Nutrients (100 g):

Energy: 415 kJ / 99 cals

Protein: 4.2 g

Total Fat 5.6 g

Monounsaturated Fat : 3.9 g

Saturated Fat : 0.9 g

Cholesterol : 5. 9 mg

Sodium : 123 mg

ORGANISATIONS & SUPPORT GROUPS

See the Heart Foundation of Australia topic on the
Healthpoint.