Dr. Erdem Özel

  • Mon-Fri: 09:00-19:00 | Sat: 09:00-18:00
  • Mustafa Enver Bey Cd. No:5 Onur Apt. K.4 D. 7 Alsancak – İZMİR
  • 0530 934 3580 - 0232 255 0255

Cardiac Nutrition

Eating cardiologically right is crucial for a healthy heart. For this:

  • As much as possible, try to consume vegetables and fruits. Make half of your daily food plate consist of vegetables and fruits. Increase the variety of vegetables according to the season, especially noting that green leafy vegetables are a good source of antioxidants. Ensure the inclusion of fruits in different colors in your daily diet. However, avoid and limit the intake of high glycemic index foods such as corn and potatoes (especially fried potatoes).
  • Prefer good fats, especially olive oil and vegetable oils, without exceeding limits, while reducing the intake of fats from red meat and dairy products. Avoid consuming dairy products more than 1-2 times a day. Natural butter can be consumed occasionally, but in limited quantities. Steer clear of foods containing trans fats.
  • Opt for whole grains and natural carbohydrates (such as whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice). These have positive effects on blood sugar and insulin. Let one-fourth of your daily food plate consist of these foods. Avoid foods that contain processed carbohydrates (such as white bread, white rice).
  • Opt for healthy protein sources (such as fish, natural chicken, legumes, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds as healthy snacks). Let the other one-fourth of your daily food plate consist of these healthy proteins. Limit the consumption of red meat and fatty cheese, and avoid processed meat products like salami, sausage, and chorizo.
  • Increase your water intake, and you can consume unsweetened coffee and tea, but avoid sugary soft drinks.
  • Don't forget to stay active and exercise regularly.

How should diabetics eat?

Diabetes and heart disease are like two friends going hand in hand. According to a study conducted in 2013, there are over 7 million diabetics in Turkey.

If you have diabetes, your likelihood of developing heart disease increases by two to four times, and unfortunately, you may become a heart patient at a younger age.

Even those with mild increases in blood sugar are not safe. In individuals with moderate blood sugar levels, the risk of heart disease also rises.

Diabetes is a chronic disease and, over time, causes damage to your blood vessels. Fat plaques form in the heart arteries, and these plaques can lead to a heart attack. Commonly associated with diabetes, overweight, high blood pressure, high bad cholesterol (LDL), and high triglycerides (a type of fat found in the blood) also accelerate the path to heart disease.

Heart failure is also more common in individuals with diabetes. However, here’s some good news for diabetics: Diabetes is a manageable condition.

Making certain changes in your lifestyle can prevent you from experiencing heart disease. What are these changes:

  • Keep your blood sugar levels tightly controlled within normal ranges. Perform daily sugar measurements as advised by your doctor and make sure to keep records. If you also note the activities you engage in and the meals you consume, you can understand what factors may be affecting your blood sugar levels.
  • Get your HbA1c levels checked at the frequency recommended by your doctor, typically every 2-3 months. Your HbA1c levels should be below 7.
  • Your blood pressure should be below 130/80 mmHg.
  • Keep your cholesterol and triglyceride levels at low levels.
  • If you have a weight problem, lose weight; maintaining a healthy weight will also improve your blood sugar levels.
  • Exercise regularly. Walk for 30 minutes, five times a week.
  • Adopt a healthy diet habit like the Mediterranean diet. Pay special attention to the carbohydrates you consume. Prefer high-fiber carbohydrates found in green vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
  • Quit smoking
  • Get enough sleep.
  • Reduce stress.