Diet and Food Guidance for Heart Failure

Diet plays an important role in heart failure, mainly through limiting salt and sometimes fluids. Your doctor or dietitian will tailor the plan to your kidney function, potassium levels and diabetes.

Salt (sodium)

Too much salt makes the body hold water. Many guidelines suggest keeping to under 5 grams of salt a day, or less if advised.

• Cook with little salt and do not add salt at the table.
• Limit pickles, papad, chutneys, namkeen, instant noodles, packaged soups, cheese and processed or cured foods.
• Read labels for sodium.
• Salt substitutes often contain potassium and may be unsafe with some medicines or kidney disease. Ask first.

Fluids

Some people need to limit fluids to about 1.5 to 2 litres a day. Follow only what your doctor has set. This includes tea, milk, soups and juices.

What to eat

• Fresh vegetables and fruit, within any potassium limits
• Whole grains such as oats, millets and brown rice
• Pulses and lentils, fish and lean protein as advised
• Small, regular meals, since large meals can cause breathlessness

What to limit

• Saturated fat, deep-fried food and sweets
• Alcohol, which is best avoided
• Large amounts of caffeine