Dietary patterns for preventing CVD
INTRODUCTION
Dietary choices are based on personal and cultural food preferences and include a combination of foods whose nutrients may interact synergistically and have a cumulative effect on health, including the risk of CVD.
Dietary patterns that include a wide variety of nutritious foods are more likely to meet nutrient requirements and confer health benefits than those diets that are selectively restricted in calories or nutrients12.
Furthermore, using a foods group based approach may offer a comprehensive strategy for the prevention of CVD.
Based on a growing body of evidence13,14, dietary patterns beneficial for cardiovascular health are predominantly plant-based, consisting of a high consumption of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds; moderate consumption of fish, poultry and eggs; and limited consumption of red and processed meat, sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages.
This section will explore specific dietary patterns associated with a reduction of CVD risk, which are also favorable to manage dyslipidemia, particularly:
- The Mediterranean Diet
- The Portfolio Diet
- The Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet
Test your knowledge
- ...are predominantly plant-based
- ...include a high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds
- ...include a moderate consumption of fish, poultry and eggs and a limited consumption of red and processed meat
- ...all the above
Test your knowledge
- the Mediterranean diet
- the Mediterranean diet, the Portfolio diet, and the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet
- A low fat diet