A healthy heart begins with what you eat, and one way to shop for groceries wisely is to start with a list, a cardiologist recommends.
Reducing the amount of fat, sugar and salt (sodium) in your diet can help reduce your risk of obesity, heart attack, type 2 diabetes and other diseases, according to Dr. Susan Smyth. She’s medical director of the University of Kentucky’s Gill Heart Institute.
“Make your meal healthier by substituting foods with lots of color from natural sources [not artificial colors] for foods that are white or brown. Start in the produce section with fresh fruits and veggies, which are high in vitamins and fiber and low in fat,” Smyth said in a university news release.
Table of Contents
Consumers should check the labels on processed foods found in the produce department, such as guacamole or prepared salads with dressing. These products may contain high amounts of fat, sodium and sugar.
“In the dairy section, stick with low-fat where possible. Beware of flavored yogurts, which can contain as much as half of the recommended daily allowance of sugar. Recent research indicates that eggs are OK in moderation, but check with your doctor first,” Smyth said.
At the meat counter, choose lean products such as chicken and fish. Limit or avoid processed meats such as hot dogs and lunch meat, which contain high amounts of salt, she advised.
“While breads and other baked goods can have a place at your dinner table, the hidden sugars and sodium in bread might surprise you. Just two slices of packaged white sandwich bread may account for as much as a quarter of your recommended daily sodium intake,” Smyth said.
A better choice would be to select breads made from whole grains (not whole wheat), which can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes, according to Smyth.
The middle aisles of the grocery store are “treacherous,” she said.
“Almost everything in a plastic wrapper is highly processed and loaded with fat, salt, sugar or all three. If you spend a lot of time in the middle aisles, do a lot of label-reading and look for healthier substitutes,” Smyth suggested.
Plain canned beans in water are a healthy choice, as are some nuts and dried fruit. Also, be aware of serving sizes per package. For example, canned soups are sometimes advertised as low sodium but if the serving size is half a can and you’re accustomed to eating a full can of soup, you’ll be getting double the dose of sodium, she said.
In the freezer section, “frozen veggies without added sauces and fruits without added sugar can substitute for fresh. Choose low-fat ice cream over regular versions. Be very careful of frozen pizzas, dinners and snacks, which can be loaded with sodium,” Smyth advised.
SOURCE: University of Kentucky, news release, Feb. 3, 2017
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Back pain and symptoms of sciatica can affect a majority of the population throughout their lifetime. Research studies have demonstrated that people who are overweight or obese experience more back complications than people with a healthy weight. A proper nutrition along with regular physical fitness can help with weight loss as well as help maintain a healthy weight to eliminate symptoms of back pain and sciatica. Chiropractic care is also another natural form of treatment which treats back pain and sciatica utilizing manual spinal adjustments and manipulations.
General Disclaimer, Licenses and Board Certifications *
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "Healthy Grocery Shopping List Tips for Heart Health" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
Blog Information & Scope Discussions
Welcome to El Paso's Premier Wellness and Injury Care Clinic & Wellness Blog, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, FNP-C, a Multi-State board-certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and Chiropractor (DC), presents insights on how our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to holistic healing and personalized care. Our practice aligns with evidence-based treatment protocols inspired by integrative medicine principles, similar to those on this site and on our family practice-based chiromed.com site, focusing on naturally restoring health for patients of all ages.
Our areas of multidisciplinary practice include Wellness & Nutrition, Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols.
Our information scope is multidisciplinary, focusing on musculoskeletal and physical medicine; wellness; contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations; associated somato-visceral reflex clinical dynamics; subluxation complexes; sensitive health issues; and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist follows their professional scope of practice and licensure jurisdiction. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for musculoskeletal injuries or disorders.
Our videos, posts, topics, and insights address clinical matters and issues that directly or indirectly relate to our clinical scope of practice.
Our office has made a reasonable effort to provide supportive citations and has identified relevant research studies that support our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies upon request to regulatory boards and the public.
For further discussion on how this information relates to specific care plans or treatment protocols, please ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
We are here to help you and your family.
Blessings
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, APRN, FNP-BC*, CCST, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN
Email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Multidisciplinary Licensing & Board Certifications:
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Chiropractic Licenses:
Texas DC License #: TX5807, Verified: TX5807
New Mexico DC License #: NM-DC2182, Verified: NM-DC2182
Nurse Practitioner Licenses:
Texas APRN License #: 1191402, Verified: 1191402 *
New Mexico CNP License #: 90560, Verified 90560
Florida APRN License #: 11043890, Verified: APRN11043890 *
Colorado License #: C-APN.0105610-C-NP, Verified: C-APN.0105610-C-NP
New York License #: N25929, Verified N25929
Georgia APRN License #: GAA-NP005701
Multi-State Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN*) Texas & Multi-States
Multi-state Compact APRN License by Endorsement (43 States)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 43 States*
Nursing Licensure Compact: Updated Here
DEA Registration: (Drug Enforcement Agency Registered)
All medical (MDs) and family practice providers (FNP-APRN) are registered and licensed to offer various levels of medication.
Verify Providers Here
License Verification Link: Nursys License Verifier
* Prescriptive Authority Authorized (DEA Registered Providers). Call if Required
Board Certification:
ANCC FNP-BC: Board Certified Nurse Practitioner*
Education:
Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Master's in Family Practice, MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)
Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST
(Board Certified: Family Practice Nurse Practitioner—Multistate)*
(Licensed Nurse Practitioner & Chiropractor - Multistate)*
Clinical Director
DC & FNP License (Review Above)
Digital Business Card
NPI: 1205907805
Dr. Maria Cardenas, MD
(Board Certified: Internal Medicine)
(Licensed Medical Doctor)
Medical Director, Clinical Director & Collaborative Physician
NPI # 1164426748
MD License #: J2933
Licenses and Board Certifications:
MD: Medical Doctor
DC: Doctor of Chiropractic
APRNP: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
FNP-BC: Family Practice Specialization (Multi-State Board Certified)
FNP-BC: Family Practice Across Life Span (Neonatal to Geriatrics)
RN: Registered Nurse (Multi-State Compact License)
CFMP: Certified Functional Medicine Provider
MSN-FNP: Master of Science in Family Practice Medicine
MSACP: Master of Science in Advanced Clinical Practice
IFMCP: Institute of Functional Medicine
CCST: Certified Chiropractic Spinal Trauma
ATN: Advanced Translational Neutrogenomics
Family with Primary Care Focus (Family Nurse Practitioner or FNP)
Memberships & Associations:
TCA: Texas Chiropractic Association: Member ID: 104311
TNA: Texas Nurse Association: Member ID: 06458222
TNP: Texas Nurse Practitioner Association ID: 2025091511
AANP: American Association of Nurse Practitioners: Member ID: 2198960
ANA: American Nurses Association: Member ID: 06458222 (District TX01)
| Primary Taxonomy | Selected Taxonomy | State | License Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| No | 111N00000X - Chiropractor | NM | DC2182 |
| Yes | 111N00000X - Chiropractor | TX | DC5807 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | TX | 1191402 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | FL | 11043890 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | CO | C-APN.0105610-C-NP |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | NY | N25929 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | NM | 90560 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | GA | GAA-NP005701 |
Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST
(Board Certified: Family Practice Nurse Practitioner—Multistate)*
(Primary Care Across Lifespan—Neonatal / Pediatric / Adult / Geriatrics)
(Licensed Nurse Practitioner & Chiropractor - Multistate)*
Clinical Director
Digital Business Card
NPI: 1205907805
Dr. Maria Cardenas, MD
(Board Certified: Internal Medicine)*
(Licensed Medical Doctor)*
Medical Director, Clinical Director & Collaborative Physician
NPI # 1164426748
MD License #: J2933
📆 Schedule Appointment: Schedule 24/7 (Click Here)
Beyond Burnout: Functional Medicine Clues Behind Fatigue, Brain Fog, Poor Sleep, and Metabolic Strain in… Read More
By Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST Read More
Subcutaneous Testosterone Injections and Androgen Physiology in Women Abstract Testosterone is often described as a… Read More
By Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST Read More
Understanding and Treating Occipital Neuritis: An Integrative Approach Abstract Welcome to our educational series. I'm… Read More
SubQ Testosterone for Women’s Hormone Support Abstract Testosterone is an important hormone in women's health,… Read More