Clean Eating for Vascular Health

Holidays are a time of year when people gather, celebrate, and indulge in rich foods and desserts like holiday cakes and sugar cookies. While it’s likely okay for most people without medical conditions to enjoy holiday foods occasionally and in moderation, consistently eating foods that are high in saturated fat, salt, and sugar and low in vitamins and minerals can take a toll on the body. In fact, experts stress that diet can significantly impact one’s vascular health. Let’s learn more.

What is vascular health?

Vascular health refers to the health of the blood vessels, both arteries and veins. Having healthy blood vessels is essential to good health. Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins carry blood back to the heart. Most arteries carry oxygenated blood, while veins generally carry deoxygenated blood. Valley Wise Health explains, “Proper blood flow keeps your body strong and healthy.” Therefore, having healthy blood vessels is essential to good health. As with other parts of the body, blood vessels can benefit from a healthy diet. In fact, it’s crucial for blood vessel health.  

Unhealthy diet vs. healthy

Per Sunshine Coast Vascular, “One of the most significant factors influencing your vascular health is your diet. By understanding the impact of diet on cardiovascular health, you can make informed dietary decisions to optimize your cardiovascular wellness.” They explain that every food choice you make has an impact on your body. For instance, unhealthy food choices can:

• Increase bad cholesterol
• Promote inflammation
• Raise blood pressure

Together, these factors can contribute to a condition called atherosclerosis, where plaque builds up in the arteries, restricts blood flow, and increases the risk of vascular disease. However, adopting a heart-healthy diet can:

• Help lower bad cholesterol
• Reduce inflammation
• Help manage blood pressure

Eating a well-rounded and nutritious diet can ultimately do wonderful things for the body. Examples include providing energy, keeping bones, muscles, skin and organs healthy, enhancing blood flow, strengthening the immune system, and more!

Tips for healthy eating for vascular wellness

Most people don’t pay attention to vascular health until it becomes a problem. Though medications and lifestyle changes can help manage some vascular conditions, it’s best to pay attention to one’s diet to prevent issues in the first place. Here are some valid reasons why you should discuss your diet with your medical practitioner. You can:

• Find out which specific foods are best for your health.
  • Learn how to read food nutrition labels and identify problematic ingredients.
  • Learn the impact of specific nutrients on the body.
  • Become educated on portion sizes.
  • Gain dietary and healthy snacking tips.
  • Discuss other lifestyle changes that can increase positive outcomes.
  • Incorporate safe exercise into your new healthy routine.
  • Discover the value of staying properly hydrated.
  • And more!

Clean eating

Making dietary changes sounds easy, but for many, clean eating (an umbrella term for avoiding unhealthy processed food) is challenging. People must keep in mind the powerful influence that clean eating has on the whole body, including the all-important vascular system. Most often, doctors recommend eating healthily over taking supplements. Of course, if a person has a poor diet or is deficient in specific vitamins, a doctor will likely suggest supplements to boost health.

What should most people eat?

Your doctor or a qualified nutritionist can best help you design a specific diet to optimize your health. However, as a general guideline, people who eat poorly can benefit by making good food choices. Examples of healthy foods people should strive to eat include: 

• Berries: Most berries like blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries contain polyphenols that support healthy blood vessel function.
• Leafy greens: Most contain a rich supply of potassium, magnesium and antioxidants that protect blood vessels from oxidative stress. Healthy leafy greens include Bok choy, chard, collards, kale, spinach, and more.
• Healthy fish: Anchovies, herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines, bluefin tuna, oysters and muscles are high in omega-3 fatty acids that can reduce inflammation and benefit arterial health.
• Nuts & seeds: Almonds, chia seeds, flaxseed, and walnuts are excellent healthy fats that are rich in magnesium and fiber that are linked to better heart health.
• Whole grains: Whole grain foods like brown rice, oats, and quinoa provide fiber, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that help control cholesterol levels, weight and blood pressure, thereby lowering the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions.

Clean eating for vascular health

Most people indulge in rich foods over the holidays. However, diet is very important to health, so it’s wise to be mindful of food choices. Sadly, most Americans don’t consume enough whole grains and other essential healthy foods on a regular basis. Eating a non-nutritious diet over time can directly contribute to higher risk of heart and blood vessel disease as well as other serious conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, stroke, and even some cancers. Whereas consistently making informed dietary decisions supports vascular health and contributes to the prevention of various medical conditions. Ensuring a varied intake of nutrient-rich foods can supply the body with the necessary components to maintain optimal performance. The choice is yours.

To understand more about eating a healthy diet, visit USDA’s https://www.myplate.gov.

Bonus tips to eating better:

• Consult your medical doctor for dietary recommendations and encouragement.
• Avoid eating out where you can’t control the ingredients or portion size.
• Plan out your healthy meals so you won’t be tempted to grab fast food.  
• Don’t shop when you’re hungry and stick to your list when grocery shopping.
• Read labels carefully to understand what’s in packaged foods.
• Avoid unnecessary unhealthy fats, salt, and sugar.
• Focus your diet on whole foods (fruits, veggies, lean proteins.)
• Prep meals ahead when your energy is highest and bake or grill instead of frying.
• Watch portion size and eat slowly and mindfully.
• Keep active and concentrate on health and progress, not perfection.

Disclosure: This article is purely informational and is not intended as a medical resource or substitute for professional advice. Consult your doctor to discuss your diet.