27 Heart-Healthy Pasta Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (2024)

FAQs

What kind of pasta can a heart patient eat? ›

Instead of traditional pasta made from white flour, try these pasta alternatives that are either lower in carbohydrates or higher in protein and fiber: Spaghetti squash. Spiralized vegetables (zucchini, carrots, butternut squash) Shirataki noodles (made from the konjac plant)

The plan should include plenty of lean protein, vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Limit high-fat foods such as red meat, cheese and baked goods. Also limit foods that are high in sodium such as sandwiches, pizza, soup and processed foods. Cut back on foods and drinks with added sugar too.

Whole-grain pasta or healthier pasta substitutes (such as chickpea, lentil, or vegetable pasta) are the best pasta dishes for those who have high cholesterol.

Highly processed grains, like white bread, white rice, white pasta, and many sugar-sweetened breakfast cereals, have been stripped of their fiber. That's especially problematic for people with heart failure because it often co-exists with conditions like Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.

We want to emphasize the many benefits for heart health that come from eating pasta and carbohydrates and favoring the Mediterranean diet for a healthy lifestyle. Consuming 80 grams of whole grains per day, such as pasta or bread, reduces the risk of heart attack by 21%.

The 3-Day Cardiac Diet sets strict limits on foods you can eat during specific meals. Meals generally consist of a protein source paired with fruits, vegetables, toast, or saltine crackers. Salt and pepper are the only permitted spices. For dessert, vanilla ice cream is allowed once per day during dinner.

The best vegetables and fruits for heart patients are bananas, avocados, oranges, grapes, tomatoes, and spinach. These fruits contain potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C which are good for the heart. Research shows that eating a diet rich in these nutrients can help lower blood pressure levels.

Fish Is Good for Your Heart

Fish is a healthy choice when dining out. Ordering seafood such as salmon and tuna adds omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. They are a type of polyunsaturated fat that helps lower your heart disease risk. You'll also find a different type of omega-3 in walnuts and edamame (soybeans).

Which drink is best for the heart? ›

Water is the drink of choice for heart health. If you're thirsty, drink water.

Using lower-fat cheeses – such as mozzarella, feta, cottage cheese or reduced-fat cheeses – will provide less saturated fat.

Choose whole grains.

Instead of choosing white, refined breads for your sandwich, select whole grain breads. These breads are high in soluble fiber that can help keep your LDL levels healthy.

Yes. Regular, or traditional semolina pasta, is made with refined flour. This flour has been stripped of heart-healthy fiber and nutrients. Whole-wheat pasta is made with the whole grain kernel, retaining what makes it most healthy and desirable.

Whole-grain foods are good choices for a nutritious diet. Whole grains provide fiber, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Whole-grain foods help control of cholesterol levels, weight and blood pressure. These foods also help lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease and other conditions.

Eggs are high in cholesterol, which can cause problems for people with diabetes or at risk for heart disease. If you're watching your cholesterol intake, eggs can easily make up your daily value of cholesterol. Egg noodles have a much higher amount of cholesterol than pasta noodles.