The Truth about Heart Health

February is Heart Health Month!

Although you might not hear it from your Health Care Provider, a heart healthy diet is most certainly one of the best ways to improve your heart health.

But this can difficult, as there’s an abundance of conflicting information in the media and on the internet.

Do you remember the 2019 headlines that stated that it’s OK to eat more red meat? I distinctly remember being totally shocked, as this was contrary to all the advice our medical providers and cardiologists had been giving us.

A  2019 study seemed to give the green light to meat consumption, but

But then they issued guidelines that said, “Go ahead and continue eating these meats anyway.”

A short time ago, I ran across an interview with Dr. David Katz, from the Yale School of Public Health who explained the contradiction. The researchers, using a GRADE method, commonly used for drug trials, found that the link between eating red meat and poor health was weak. So they concluded that it was “OK” to continue eating red meat.

He believes–as do many other experts in the medical field– that eating red and processed meats causes heart disease, and contributes to 325,000 deaths per year in the U.S.

Does that mean that we should NEVER eat red or processed meat?

Here’s what I think: Many healthcare providers and nutritionists recommend eating small amounts (4–6 oz. 2–3 times/week) of lean grass-fed beef, as it’s high in protein and contains other essential nutrients.

Personally, I don’t eat red meat, and I haven’t for over 28 years. (I do eat fish, and occasionally chicken). For many years, I worked with cardiac patients, and it always made me so sad to see how heart disease ruined so many people’s lives. Our hearts do an amazing job for us all day long, and need our TLC.

Our body chemistries are all slightly different–just like our finger prints! This means that no one diet–vegan, keto or paleo–is perfect for everyone!

So, as you consider YOUR heart health in February, think about all the alternatives to red meat: shrimp, salmon, swordfish, turkey burgers, black bean burgers, just to name a few. Want more ideas for healthy eating? I’d love to share with you my expertise as a Board Certified Holistic Nurse Practitioner. Take advantage of my online health coaching discount.

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