Health Information > Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

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Nutrition for Congestive Heart Failure

Guide to Healthy Eating

You can help lower your risk for heart disease by following Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating. This guide has these important points:

1. Enjoy a VARIETY of foods from all four food groups.
2. Eat more cereals, breads, other grain products and vegetables and fruit, which are high in fiber.
3. Choose lower-fat dairy products, leaner meats and food prepared with little or no fat.
4. Limit salt, sugar, alcohol and caffeine in your daily food program.

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Limit your salt intake

• Salt acts like a sponge by keeping extra fluid in your body and causing your heart to work harder to circulate the extra fluid.

• Avoid adding salt to your food during cooking and at the table. Avoid choosing high salt foods. These include processed and pre-packaged food items.

• Your dietitian will provide you with specific salt and sodium restricted diet information for you to follow.

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Limit your fluid intake

• In order to reduce the amount of work your heart has to do, it is also important to limit how much fluid you consume daily.

• Fluid is usually restricted to 4-6 cups (1-1.5 liters) of fluid per day. Ask your doctor what your fluid restriction is.

• It is important to spread out your fluid intake throughout the day.

• A fluid is anything that is liquid at room temperature, such as water, milk, juices, Jell-O^®, popsicles, and ice cream.

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Tips to decrease thirst

If you find thirst to be a problem, follow these helpful tips to help you control your fluid intake.

• Try sucking on a sliced lemon wedge, hard candy or chewing gum to moisten your mouth.

• Try putting lemon juice or lemonade into ice-cubes and suck on them.

• Brush your teeth frequently.

• Rinse your mouth with water but do not swallow. If this is too tempting, keep mouthwash in the fridge -- you will not want to swallow that.

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Maintain a healthy body weight

• It is important that you maintain a healthy body weight.

• Some people benefit from weight loss to manage heart disease. Other people need to increase their calories to gain weight. Discuss goals around body weight with your dietitian.

• Weight gain may be due to fluid. Weigh yourself daily to help monitor how much fluid you have gained.

• Weigh yourself with an empty bladder, on the same scale, at the same time of the day and with the same amount of clothing to ensure your weight is accurate.

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Good lifestyle habits

Your health depends on the choices you make and the lifestyle you choose. By making small lifestyle and dietary changes, you can help manage and control your symptoms.

• Become a non-smoker.

• Take the medications that your doctor prescribes.

• Tell your doctor about any laxatives, cough/cold antacids, herbal and/or nutritional supplements you are taking or planning to take.

Know your symptoms
Knowing your symptoms of congestive heart failure can help you stay in control and keep you out of the hospital. Be sure to report any of the following symptoms to your doctor or nurse as soon as possible:

• Increased shortness of breath.
• Swelling of ankles or legs.
• Increased urination at night.
• Weight gain of more than 2 pounds or 1 kg over 2 days or 5 pounds or 3 kg in a single week.
• Extreme fatigue/tiredness.

This resource was developed by Registered Dietitians, Regional Nutrition and Food Service, Capital Health and Caritas Health Group.

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