Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health
Summary of Key Recommendations
1. Adjust energy intake and expenditure to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight
2. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, choose a wide variety
3. Choose foods made mostly with whole grains rather than refined grains
4. Choose healthy sources of protein
a. mostly protein from plants (legumes and nuts)
b. fish and seafood
c. low-fat or fat-free dairy products instead of full-fat dairy products
d. if meat or poultry are desired, choose lean cuts and avoid processed forms
5. Use liquid plant oils rather than tropical oils (coconut, palm, and palm kernel), animal fats (eg, butter and lard), and partially hydrogenated fats
6. Choose minimally processed foods instead of ultra-processed foods*
7. Minimize intake of beverages and foods with added sugars
8. Choose and prepare foods with little or no salt
9. If you do not drink alcohol, do not start; if you choose to drink alcohol, limit intake
10. Adhere to this guidance regardless of where food is prepared or consumed
Figure: Dietary patterns to promote cardiovascular health
Recommendation Grading
Overview
Title
2021 Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health
Authoring Organization
Publication Month/Year
November 1, 2021
Last Updated Month/Year
April 1, 2024
Supplemental Implementation Tools
Document Type
Consensus
Country of Publication
US
Document Objectives
This scientific statement emphasizes the importance of dietary patterns beyond individual foods or nutrients, underscores the critical role of nutrition early in life, presents elements of heart-healthy dietary patterns, and highlights structural challenges that impede adherence to heart-healthy dietary patterns.
Target Patient Population
All patients
Target Provider Population
All providers
Inclusion Criteria
Male, Female, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Older adult
Health Care Settings
Ambulatory, Long term care, School
Intended Users
Diabetes educator, dietician nutritionist, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant
Scope
Counseling, Management, Prevention
Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)
D000066888 - Diet, Food, and Nutrition, D004032 - Diet, D000073601 - Dietary Approaches To Stop Hypertension
Keywords
nutrition, diet, heart health
Source Citation
Lichtenstein AH, Appel LJ, Vadiveloo M, Hu FB, Kris-Etherton PM, Rebholz CM, Sacks FM, Thorndike AN, Van Horn L, Wylie-Rosett J. 2021 Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2021 Dec 7;144(23):e472-e487. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001031. Epub 2021 Nov 2. PMID: 34724806.