Eating Well With Heart Failure (CHF)

A heart-healthy diet can help people with heart failure manage symptoms, support cardiovascular health, and reduce excess fluid buildup. One of the most important dietary considerations is limiting sodium (salt) because too much sodium can cause the body to retain fluid, which may worsen swelling and shortness of breath.

Helpful nutrition tips include:

• 🧂 Limit sodium: Choose fresh or minimally processed foods and check Nutrition Facts labels for sodium. Individual sodium goals should be discussed with the healthcare team. 
• 🥦 Choose more fruits and vegetables: Include a variety of fresh or frozen options without added salt or sauces. 
• 🌾 Choose whole grains: Try oatmeal, brown rice, whole-grain bread, and other high-fiber grains. 
• 🐟 Choose lean proteins: Fish, skinless poultry, beans, and other lean protein sources can be part of a heart-healthy eating pattern. 
• 🥫 Limit highly processed foods: Canned soups, deli meats, frozen meals, fast food, chips, and packaged sauces can contain large amounts of sodium. 
• 💧 Ask about fluid intake: Some people with heart failure may need to limit fluids, but not everyone does. Fluid restrictions should be individualized by the healthcare provider. 
• ⚖️ Monitor daily weight: Sudden weight gain can be a sign of fluid retention and should be reported according to the patient's heart-failure care plan. 
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Important: People with heart failure should follow the specific sodium and fluid recommendations provided by their healthcare team, especially if they also have kidney disease or take medications that affect potassium.

American Heart Association. (2025). What is heart failure?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About heart failure.

American Heart Association. Warning Signs of Heart Failure.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Heart Failure.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Heart Failure Symptoms. 

American Heart Association — Heart Failure CDC — About Heart Failure

American Heart Association — Heart Failure Lifestyle Changes