Diet for Unclogging Arteries

The unhealthy American diet is the main reason for so many people with clogged arteries. In the past, the only solution appeared to be surgery and drugs, either alone or together. However, dramatic results from a stringent shift in lifestyle and diet are proving to be the safest option for unclogging arteries.

Vegetarian Diet

A diet that consists of mainly fruits, vegetables, nonfat dairy products and egg whites can help reverse blockage of the arteries. Add moderate exercise and stress-relieving meditation, and the effects are as good or better than with surgery or medication.

Vegetarian meals can be easy to prepare. A typical breakfast might include melons, toasted whole grain bread and a tofu or nut spread. Lunch can be beans, salad, mixed fruit and whole-grain bread or cornbread. A dinner can consist of a vegetarian combination with beans and a fruit or vegetable salad.

Right Kind of Fats

Not all fats are bad. Fish oil is more heart-healthy than beef lard. Our bodies need some fat, so add omega-3 fatty acids, fish oils, nuts, seeds, avocados, cold pressed extra virgin olive oil and other monounsaturated fats to the diet for a healthier heart.

Avoid hydrogenated oils. They are the main cause of heart disease and neurological problems in the world. These are unnatural, processed oils that are added to foods to increase shelf life and make food taste good. Most store-bought baked or fried food has hydrogenated oil.

Good Snack Foods

Choose baked chips, Wasa crackers that are baked, and cookies that specify that they are made without hydrogenated oils.

Snack Foods to Avoid

Most items on the snack food aisle contain hydrogenated oils. These include popular cookies, crackers and processed snack treats such as potato chips and nacho chips.

Good and Bad Cooking Oils

Choose olive, canola, safflower, sunflower, corn oils or soybean oils for healthier cooking. Avoid other vegetable oils because they are either hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated. Read the labels. If the word "hydrogenated" is there, put it back and move on. Also beware of butter, solid shortening, lard or hard stick margarine.