Foods to Avoid for Heart Health

For heart health, limit processed meats, high-sodium packaged meals, and foods made with partially hydrogenated oils. These choices can contain substantial amounts of sodium, saturated fat, or industrial trans fat, which can affect blood pressure or blood cholesterol.

The overall pattern of what you eat matters more than any single meal. For a related guide, see the best drinks for heart health.

10 foods and food groups to limit for heart health

The AI symptom analyzer is not a diagnostic tool; seek emergency care for possible heart attack symptoms rather than using it to decide what to do.

1. Processed meats

Bacon, sausage, hot dogs, and many deli meats can be high in sodium and saturated fat. Too much sodium can raise blood pressure, while saturated fat can raise LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol.

Use these foods less often and in smaller portions. Try unprocessed poultry, fish, beans, or lentils in sandwiches and main meals; check seasoning and sauces for sodium, too.

Evidence: The effects of sodium and saturated fat on heart risk factors are well established. Evidence connecting processed meat itself with cardiovascular disease is largely observational, so it cannot prove that one serving causes harm.

2. High-sodium packaged meals

Some instant noodles, frozen dinners, canned soups, and other ready-to-eat meals contain substantial sodium. Frequent high sodium intake can contribute to high blood pressure, an important risk factor for heart disease.

Compare the sodium listed on similar products and choose a lower-sodium option. Add vegetables or beans where practical, and check how many servings are in the package before judging its total sodium.

Evidence: The link between excess sodium and higher blood pressure is strong, although products vary. A review of ultra-processed foods discusses possible cardiovascular links; it does not establish that every packaged meal causes heart disease.

3. Foods containing partially hydrogenated oils

Partially hydrogenated oils are a source of industrial trans fat. Industrial trans fat raises LDL cholesterol and lowers HDL, or “good,” cholesterol, an unfavorable combination for heart health.

Check ingredient lists on packaged baked goods, frostings, snack foods, and imported products, and avoid items listing partially hydrogenated oils. Not every food in these categories contains them, so check the individual product rather than assuming.

Evidence: Evidence that industrial trans fat adversely affects blood cholesterol is strong. The relevant concern is the oil and trans fat content, not a particular brand or food category by itself.

4. Butter

Butter is high in saturated fat, which can raise LDL cholesterol when eaten in excess. The effect of changing your diet also depends on what replaces the butter.

Use less butter in cooking or on bread, and consider replacing it with an unsaturated liquid vegetable oil, such as olive or canola oil, when suitable. An occasional use does not determine the quality of your whole diet.

Evidence: The effect of saturated fat on LDL cholesterol is well established. Heart-healthy eating patterns favor liquid vegetable oils, but that does not mean a study has tested every possible butter substitution.

5. Fatty cuts of red meat

Fatty cuts of beef, pork, and lamb can contribute significant saturated fat. High LDL cholesterol is a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Choose leaner cuts when you eat red meat, trim visible fat, and make room for other protein sources such as beans, fish, or skinless poultry. Preparation matters: a lean cut served with a rich sauce can still make a meal high in saturated fat.

Evidence: The saturated-fat and LDL connection is strong. Evidence about the effect of an individual cut of meat on heart disease is less direct and can be influenced by the rest of the diet.

6. Full-fat cheese

Full-fat cheese can add both saturated fat and sodium, although amounts vary by type and serving. Regularly eating large amounts may make it harder to keep saturated fat within a heart-healthy pattern.

Use a smaller amount for flavor, or compare labels and choose a lower-sodium or reduced-fat cheese. In meals such as salads and sandwiches, add vegetables or beans rather than relying on cheese as the main filling.

Evidence: Saturated fat can raise LDL cholesterol, but cheese-specific evidence should not be treated as proof that every serving causes heart disease. The American Heart Association science advisory on dietary cholesterol emphasizes overall dietary patterns that include low-fat or fat-free dairy.

7. Salty chips and pretzels

Chips, pretzels, and similar snacks can add sodium without making it obvious how much you have eaten. Some chips also contain saturated fat, depending on the oil and recipe.

Compare labels, select lower-sodium options, and put a portion in a bowl instead of eating directly from the package. Unsalted nuts, fruit, or vegetables can also make convenient snacks.

Evidence: Excess sodium can raise blood pressure, but the effect of any one snack depends on its ingredients and how often it is eaten. Processing alone does not tell you a product’s sodium or saturated-fat content.

8. Packaged cakes, cookies, and pastries

These foods often contain added sugar and may contain substantial saturated fat. Eating them frequently can displace foods that provide more fiber and other useful nutrients; some products may also contain partially hydrogenated oils.

Keep them as occasional choices rather than an everyday staple. Compare labels for saturated fat and added sugars, and check the ingredient list for partially hydrogenated oils.

Evidence: The case for limiting saturated fat and avoiding industrial trans fat is strong. Evidence about a particular cake or cookie and heart disease is less direct; ingredients, portions, and the overall eating pattern matter.

9. Fried fast-food meals

Fried fast-food meals can combine sodium, saturated fat, and large portions, especially when served with salty sides and sauces. These features can make it harder to manage blood pressure and cholesterol over time.

Check nutrition information when it is available. Choose a grilled or baked option, a less salty side, and sauces served separately; preparation and ingredients vary between restaurants, so a label or menu description is useful.

Evidence: The effects of excess sodium and saturated fat on cardiovascular risk factors are well established. The evidence is less specific about the effect of any single restaurant meal.

10. Ice cream

Regular ice cream commonly contains saturated fat and added sugar. If eaten frequently in large portions, it can add considerably to both without offering the same dietary benefits as many less-sweet foods.

Treat it as an occasional dessert, check the serving size, and compare products for saturated fat and added sugars. A lower-fat, unsweetened yogurt topped with fruit is one alternative if you enjoy it.

Evidence: The evidence linking saturated fat with higher LDL cholesterol is strong. That does not establish that an occasional serving of ice cream independently causes heart disease.

How can you limit these foods without overhauling every meal?

Start with foods you eat often. Compare labels on your usual products, swap one high-sodium or high-saturated-fat choice for a lower option, and build meals around vegetables, fruit, whole grains, beans, lean proteins, and unsaturated oils.

The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day for most adults; your clinician may advise a different target. The sodium figure on a label applies to the stated serving, so account for the amount you actually eat.

You do not have to eliminate every food on this list. Consistent changes are generally more useful than focusing on a single indulgence, especially when replacements improve the overall nutritional quality of your meals.

Who should get medical advice?

If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, diabetes, or kidney disease, ask a clinician or registered dietitian for advice suited to your condition. Pregnancy and children’s nutritional needs also call for individualized guidance rather than a restrictive diet based solely on this list.

Ask before using potassium-based salt substitutes if you have kidney disease or take medicines that can raise potassium, including some blood pressure medicines and potassium-sparing diuretics. Do not stop or change prescribed medication because of a dietary change.

Call emergency services immediately for possible heart attack symptoms, including chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the arm, back, or jaw, shortness of breath, or a cold sweat. Do not wait for symptoms to pass or use an online tool to decide whether to seek help.