What Foods Should Be Avoided If You Have Coronary Heart Disease?

Individuals with coronary heart disease should focus on avoiding foods high in cholesterol, saturated fats and sodium. These foods contribute to hypertension as well as atherosclerosis, the condition that causes coronary artery disease and blocks arteries with cholesterol-laden fatty deposits.

Types

• Avoid butter, margarine and shortening and focus on polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats like canola and olive oil. "Limiting how much saturated and trans fat you eat is the most important step you can take to reduce your blood cholesterol," according to The Mayo Clinic.

Meats

• Cholesterol is primarily an animal by-product, so cutting consumption of dairy and meat is important. Avoid whole (2 percent) milk and other full-fat dairy foods like cheese. Also restrict organ meats such as liver, egg yolks, ribs, cold cuts, hot dogs, sausages, bacon and canned meat.

Condiments

• "Limit high-sodium condiments and foods such as soy sauce, steak sauce, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning salts, pickles and olives," suggests The American Heart Association. Canned vegetables and soups are also dense with salt.

Beverages

• Processed juices and beverages like soda contain excessive amounts of sugar and sodium. Add products that have sugars or syrups listed in the first four ingredients to your list of "what foods should be avoided if you have coronary artery disease?"

Prevention/Solution

• People with coronary issues should consume less than 1,500 mgs of sodium and less than 200 mgs of cholesterol daily. Saturated fat should total less than 7 percent and trans fat less than 1 percent of daily calories.