If you’re on a cardiac diet and have ideas, please let me know. I’m not sure whether low sugar/carbs should take precedence or I should have him eat more carbs but keep the fat low. Or I really need to keep it all low and he just needs to eat more of everything so the ratios stay in balance.
After getting 3 coronary stents, I've been following sort of a combination of the Mediterranean and Dash diets. So far it's been 4 years now and I haven't had to go back for any further procedures and my numbers (ie cholesterol, blood pressure, etc) look great.
Get in the habit of reading nutrional labels and try to avoid things with excess saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. Mainly, stick to whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible. Two servings of fatty fish such as salmon or tuna each week are important for heart health. Beans, nuts, tofu, chicken, non- or low-fat plain Greek yogurt, are other great sources of healthy protein. Whole grains like oats, brown rice, barley, whole grain bread are good, and most of all, lots, and lots of vegetables and a serving or two of fruit each day.
As much as possible, avoiding things like butter, soda, candy, ice cream, alcohol, excess salt and added sugars, and red meat really helps.
One of my favorite go-to breakfasts is non-fat Greek yogurt with frozen berries, oats, and a small handful of walnuts. Served with a glass of V8 it's a healthy nutritional powerhouse that is satisfying for many hours.
Dinner is usually something like a big green salad with beans in it and vinegar and olive oil dressing, a slice of unbuttered whole grain bread, and a glass of non-fat milk. Sometimes I'll have chicken with it instead of beans.
Talking with the cardiac rehab nutritionist is a great idea. Your husband is so fortunate to have such a supportive spouse as yourself. Your love and support as he navigates this lifestyle change will make a big difference and will be crucial to his healing and successfully making healthy changes.