Foods for a Healthy Heart

Foods for a Healthy Heart

Research shows a plant-based diet doesn’t just prevent heart disease, but it can manage and sometimes even reverse it! 

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and around the world. Eating habits and other lifestyle factors play a key role in determining the risk of heart disease. Pioneering studies by Dean Ornish, MD, Caldwell Esselstyn Jr., MD, and others have shown a low-fat, plant-based diet, combined with regular exercise and a healthful overall lifestyle, can prevent, delay, and even reverse heart disease and other cardiovascular events. Dr. Ornish’s landmark study tested the effects of a plant-based diet on participants with moderate to severe heart disease. There were no surgeries or stents—just simple diet and lifestyle changes. Within weeks, 90 percent of chest pain diminished. After just one month, blood flow to the heart improved. After a year, even severely blocked arteries reopened. At the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Esselstyn tested the same approach on patients with severe heart disease and published similar results.

Thirty years later, all of the compliant patients are still thriving. Plant-based diets benefit heart health because they contain no dietary cholesterol, very little saturated fat, and abundant fiber. Meat, cheese, and eggs, on the other hand, are packed with cholesterol and saturated fat, which cause plaque buildup in the arteries, eventually leading to heart disease. A plant-based diet can also help improve several risk factors for heart disease.

Learn that health-promoting foods, recipes, and meals can be easy, convenient and tastes great! Each class includes live food demos and hands-on cooking with Stefanie's in-depth food prep knowledge, Q&A, recipes, educational materials all in a supportive group.

Recipes are designed to work for people on a budget who may also have minimal time or access to equipment. More importantly, every class and each ingredient supports a low-fat, plant-based diet plan that has been proven to prevent, manage, and in some cases reverse chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune disease, obesity, and even some forms of cancer.

This event is hosted by Plantspiration® and taught by Stefanie Ignoffo, a Plant Interventionist, licensed Food For Life instructor with the Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine Coach.

Food for Life is an award-winning nutrition education and cooking class program that provides an innovative and evidence based approach to diet-related chronic diseases. Designed by physicians, nurses, and registered dietitians, Food for Life promotes healthful eating based on the latest scientific research.