Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a blood circulation disorder in which the blood vessels (arteries or veins) become narrow or blocked. The blockage is mainly caused by plaque (cholesterol and fatty materials) that clogs the blood vessels.

Most of the people having PAD have elevated cholesterol levels. Elevated cholesterol levels or fat levels build up in your blood vessels, resulting in PAD, stroke, and heart diseases.

Sugar, fat (saturated and trans-fat), and sodium are a few unhealthy food items to be monitored while eating processed or packaged food. Also, foods that are high in cholesterol include: animal meat, poultry with skin, organ meat, egg yolks, and high-fat milk products should be avoided.

Here is how a healthy diet can help you manage PAD.

Benefits Of Eating Healthy In PAD

Having a healthy diet is vital in managing symptoms and preventing PAD. Some of the advantages of eating healthy for people suffering from PAD include:

• Improving the quality of life
• Reducing the risk factors for a heart attack or stroke
• Aiding in weight management or weight loss, especially when combined with exercise
• Helping in reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Regulating blood sugar levels
• Slowing the process of atherosclerosis

Guide for a healthy diet in PAD

Most physicians recommend a change in eating habits when you have PAD. As mentioned above, a heart-healthy diet helps to address risk factors of PAD and other heart diseases. The following are some pointers that will help you in changing your diet:

1. Heart-healthy eating habits: The modifications that help control/lower blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and also aid in weight management are:

• Avoiding sugary products
• Avoiding processed foods
• Avoiding consumption of unhealthy fats and sodium
• Eating a variety of fruits and veggies
• Eating protein-rich foods
• Eating low-fat protein sources
• Eating whole grains

2. Understanding Portion Size: It is equally important to eat in the right amount while eating the right food. Portion size is vital as it allows you to understand how many calories you are consuming. It helps your body to manage its needs. Try eating from a salad plate rather than a full dinner plate. Always fill half of your plate with veggies and add the other half between lean protein or whole grains.
3. Drink alcohol in limits: It is known that consuming large quantities of alcohol has detrimental health effects. While having PAD, you should always try to drink occasionally and/or in fewer quantities. Try to keep one or two drinks as the limit while consuming alcohol.
4. Always plan: Planning your meals and snack time helps control how much you eat. Try to make a weekly plan to consume for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can take the help of a dietician who can help you to design a weekly meal plan.
5. Treat yourself: Lastly, you must treat yourself. Eating healthy food does not mean you have to give up on your favorite food items. When you are regularly following the right food choice, you can treat yourself once in a while to make you feel better.