1. Chocolate Cake
Who doesn't love chocolate? A good chocolate cake is the star of the show at any birthday party, wedding, or really any other celebration—but it's certainly not topping any lists when it comes to healthy foods for your heart. "Chocolate cake is a high-fat dessert that is loaded with sugar and calories. It is made with butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and chocolate, all of which contribute to clogged arteries and heart disease," Rouse, who specializes in cardiac nutrition, says. "Chocolate cake is bad for your heart health because it contains saturated and trans fats, which can increase your levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and decrease your levels of good cholesterol (HDL)." These fats can also lead to inflammation in your body, which can eventually cause heart disease.
It's best to reserve chocolate cake for special occasions and keep your slices to a minimum. And just because chocolate cake is bad for your heart health, that doesn't mean chocolate itself is unhealthy.
In fact, Rouse notes that dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and contains flavonoids that are actually beneficial for your heart health. "Dark chocolate is a healthy dessert alternative because it contains flavonoids that can improve your blood flow and lower your blood pressure, reducing your risk of heart disease," she says. Instead of a slice of chocolate cake, you can enjoy a small piece of dark chocolate as a healthy heart dessert alternative.
2. Full-fat/premium ice cream
Ice cream makes for one of the tastiest treats around, and full-fat, premium varieties are certainly a delicious way to indulge. Unfortunately, although this may seem like a harmless treat, Andrews warns against its consumption due to its detrimental effects on artery health. "In addition to saturated fat, premium ice cream also has lots of sugar, which can make your arteries sticky and more likely to deposit plaque and fat," she says.
Excessive sugar intake can lead to a number of health issues, including insulin resistance and inflammation, which are risk factors for atherosclerosis. Furthermore, the combination of saturated fats and sugar can lead to the formation of sticky substances in the blood known as triglycerides. These triglycerides can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, further narrowing them and increasing the risk of heart disease.
3. Pastries
Similar to chocolate cake, pastries are made with sugar, flour, and butter, which is a bad combination for your heart health. Eating too many pastries like donuts and pies can not only lead to clogged arteries but also high cholesterol. One pastry that Rouse advises against is apple pie.
"Apple pie is made with sugar, flour, butter, and apples, and the crust is usually made with butter. The combination of butter and sugar is a bad combination for your heart health as it can lead to high cholesterol and clogged arteries," Rouse explains. "Apple pie with a buttery crust is bad for your heart health because it contains saturated fats from butter and added sugars, which can increase your risk of heart disease."
The Bottom Line
Overall, it's best to avoid high-sugar desserts like chocolate cake and pastries—not only for your waistline but also for your heart health. You can appease your sweet tooth with a yogurt parfait topped with natural sweeteners and fruit or some dark chocolate. Not only will eating these nutritious desserts help prevent clogged arteries, but they can also boost your metabolism for weight loss. It's a win-win!