Food

The Worst Artery-Clogging Seasonal Foods That Could Be Hurting Your Cardiovascular Health, According To Experts: Pie Crust & More

November 13, 2024 by Mariam Qayum
shefinds | Food

Cardiovascular health is crucial for overall well-being, and diet plays a significant role in supporting a healthy heart. Fall offers an array of seasonal foods rich in nutrients that can promote cardiovascular health, like apples, pumpkins, and leafy greens. However, some popular fall foods—often featuring seasonal treats and comfort dishes—can actually be harmful to heart health. These foods can be high in saturated fats, sugars, and refined carbs.

We checked in with Dr. Christopher Van Nguyen, who specializes in cardiology, to learn about two of the worst artery-clogging fall items that can damage your heart health. Dr. Van Nguyen revealed that pie crusts and seasonal coffee drinks are the ones to stay away from. Read on to learn more.

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person making pie

1. Pie Crusts

Pie crusts, especially traditional, buttery varieties, can negatively impact cardiovascular health when consumed frequently. Most pie crusts are made with butter, lard, or shortening, which are high in saturated fats. Many store-bought ones use partially hydrogenated oils, which contain trans fats.

Dr. Van Nguyen further adds that pie crusts "are often high in trans fats and saturated fats, which can raise LDL cholesterol, the 'bad' cholesterol. These unhealthy fats, along with refined sugars and white flour, can contribute to plaque buildup in arteries, restricting blood flow and increasing heart disease risk."

He suggests making homemade pie crusts made from healthier options, such as whole grains like oats or almonds. These are high in fiber and contain heart-healthy fats.

pumpkin spice coffee

2. Seasonal Coffee Drinks

Those cozy fall coffee drinks we all love—pumpkin spice lattes, caramel apple macchiatos, maple pecan lattes—might be doing more harm to your heart than you think. These delicious drinks often come with tons of added sugars. All that sugar spikes your blood sugar, which can lead to inflammation in your blood vessels.

"These drinks are high in sugar and unhealthy fats, which can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, and increased bad cholesterol, all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease," says Dr. Van Nguyen.

Enjoying these drinks occasionally is fine, but cutting down on the sugar, skipping the whipped cream, or even choosing a smaller size can help you enjoy the fall flavors without compromising heart health.

Author:

Editorial Assistant

Mariam is an Editorial Assistant at SheFinds, covering everything from celebrity fashion to health and wellness. A true city girl at heart, she splits her time between New York and Philly, bringing that hustle and creativity wherever she goes. With a resume packed with internships and editorial roles, she's built a solid expertise in the field. When she's not writing, pitching, or obsessing over the latest TikTok trends, you can find her hanging with family, cooking up something delicious, or dreaming about her next travel adventure. You can reach Mariam at [email protected].

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