Other lifestyle changes, such as drinking less alcohol, taking regular exercise, <a href="/stop-smoking/smoking-quitting">giving up smoking</a> (if you smoke) and maintaining a healthy weight can also help.

Why should I change my diet after a heart attack? 

There's evidence to show that eating a <a href="/healthy-diet/what-is-a-mediterranean-diet">Mediterranean-style diet</a> can reduce your risk of having another heart attack. To make your diet more Mediterranean you can: <ul> <li>eat more fruit, salad and vegetables</li> <li>eat more wholegrains, nuts and seeds</li> <li>eat more fish</li> <li>eat less meat</li> <li>choose products made from vegetable and plant oils, such as olive oil, rather than dairy products, such as butter and cheese</li> </ul> ::: body-ad-desktop zones:: 232632,232463,232640 types:: 163 disclaimer:: AD typeFilter:: native_ad adCount:: 1 ::: ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232463,232642 types:: 5,163 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display/native_ad adCount:: 1 :::

Mediterranean diet 

You should eat at least 2 portions of fish a week, including a portion of oily fish. Oily fish is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help prevent heart disease. Examples of oily fish include: <ul> <li>herring</li> <li>sardines</li> <li>mackerel</li> <li>salmon</li> <li>trout</li> <li>fresh tuna</li> </ul> One portion is about 140g, which is equivalent to a small tin of oily fish or a small fillet of fresh fish. Read more about <a href="/healthy-diet/is-oily-fish-a-superfood">oily fish</a>. ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232463,233460 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

Oily fish 

Don't fry or roast food in fat. Instead, prepare and cook your food using healthy methods such as: <ul> <li>steaming</li> <li>poaching</li> <li>baking</li> <li>stir-frying</li> <li>making a casserole</li> <li>using the microwave</li> </ul> Buttery, cheesy or creamy sauces tend to be high in fat. Instead, try adding flavour to your sauces using spices, herbs and lemon juice. ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232463,245869 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

Healthier ways to cook 

Avoid foods that are high in: <ul> <li>saturated fat (this is the current guidance, although further studies on saturated fat are needed)</li> <li>salt</li> <li>sugar</li> </ul> Foods containing high amounts of fat, salt or sugar include: <ul> <li>fried foods</li> <li>sweets and confectionery</li> <li>takeaways</li> <li>processed foods</li> <li>pre-packaged foods</li> </ul> Read more about <a href="/healthy-diet/eight-tips-for-healthy-eating">healthy eating</a>. ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232463,245870 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

Foods to avoid 

Don't take beta-carotene supplements (beta-carotene is a type of vitamin A). Research has shown that taking these supplements may increase your risk of having another heart attack. Also, taking vitamin C, vitamin E or folic acid supplements won't help prevent another heart attack. There's no evidence to suggest that taking any of these supplements will have any benefit.

Supplements to avoid 



Other lifestyle changes, such as drinking less alcohol, taking regular exercise, [giving up smoking](/stop-smoking/smoking-quitting) (if you smoke) and maintaining a healthy weight can also help.

## Mediterranean diet 

There's evidence to show that eating a [Mediterranean-style diet](/healthy-diet/what-is-a-mediterranean-diet) can reduce your risk of having another heart attack.

To make your diet more Mediterranean you can:

- eat more fruit, salad and vegetables
- eat more wholegrains, nuts and seeds
- eat more fish
- eat less meat
- choose products made from vegetable and plant oils, such as olive oil, rather than dairy products, such as butter and cheese


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zones:: 232632,232463,232640
types:: 163
disclaimer:: AD
typeFilter:: native_ad
adCount:: 1

:::


::: body-ad-mobile
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## Oily fish 

You should eat at least 2 portions of fish a week, including a portion of oily fish.

Oily fish is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help prevent heart disease.

Examples of oily fish include:

- herring
- sardines
- mackerel
- salmon
- trout
- fresh tuna

One portion is about 140g, which is equivalent to a small tin of oily fish or a small fillet of fresh fish.

Read more about [oily fish](/healthy-diet/is-oily-fish-a-superfood).


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## Healthier ways to cook 

Don't fry or roast food in fat. Instead, prepare and cook your food using healthy methods such as:

- steaming
- poaching
- baking
- stir-frying
- making a casserole
- using the microwave

Buttery, cheesy or creamy sauces tend to be high in fat. Instead, try adding flavour to your sauces using spices, herbs and lemon juice.


::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232463,245869
types:: 5
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display
adCount:: 1

:::

## Foods to avoid 

Avoid foods that are high in:

- saturated fat (this is the current guidance, although further studies on saturated fat are needed)
- salt
- sugar

Foods containing high amounts of fat, salt or sugar include:

- fried foods
- sweets and confectionery
- takeaways
- processed foods
- pre-packaged foods

Read more about [healthy eating](/healthy-diet/eight-tips-for-healthy-eating).


::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232463,245870
types:: 5
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display
adCount:: 1

:::

## Supplements to avoid 

Don't take beta-carotene supplements (beta-carotene is a type of vitamin A). Research has shown that taking these supplements may increase your risk of having another heart attack.

Also, taking vitamin C, vitamin E or folic acid supplements won't help prevent another heart attack. There's no evidence to suggest that taking any of these supplements will have any benefit.

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References

All of Healthily's articles undergo medical safety checks to verify that the information is medically safe. View more details in our <a href="/safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">safety page</a>, or read our <a href="/legal/editorial-policy-principles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">editorial policy</a>.

Article information

Making changes to your diet can help reduce your risk of having another heart attach. Learn about what you should be eating after a heart attack here - using content verified by certified doctors.