There are many healthy alternatives available in the market when following a heart-healthy diet, but what is essential is that you find a good balance of healthy ingredients and unhealthy ones. You can start by making lifestyle and dietary changes to eliminate the top habits and foods that have a negative impact on heart health.  Some of the foods that you need to be aware of to prevent the onset of heart diseases are as follows:

1. Sugar and salt
These two ingredients are the top-most culprits that increase the risk of heart diseases and strokes. You need to avoid these ingredients in any form as much as possible so that your diet is healthy. This, however, does not mean that only eat ingredients that are acclaimed to be the best; you would need to strike a balance in the nutrients and vitamins for your body to function on a healthy level.

2. Bacon
This is definitely a top food to avoid to prevent the onset of heart diseases. Most of the calories in this food are derived directly from the saturated fats. When consumed, they end up triggering higher levels of bad cholesterol and increase the risk of both heart attacks and strokes. Bacon has high salt content, which can spike blood pressure. As a result, it pushes the heart to function unhealthily under stress.

3. Red meat
Some of the commonly consumed red meats such as beef, pork, and lamb increase the chances of heart disease and diabetes. They are filled with high levels of saturated fats which can end up causing higher cholesterol accumulation when consumed regularly. The best way to switch this food is to go for leaner cuts that are lower in fat content.

4. Soda
One can of soda has more sugar than the average limit permissible for the consumption of sugar. People who drink soda end up consuming higher amounts of sugar and gain weight which increases the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. These are all elements that lead to heart disease in the long run.

5. Baked goods
When avoiding unhealthy foods to prevent heart disease, baked goods such as cookies, muffins, and cakes are a part of this list. These foods are loaded with sugar and refined grains which are unhealthy and lead to weight gain. This also ends up spiking the triglyceride levels so that you feel hungry often. Baked goods also contain butter, an ingredient that is on top of the elimination list.