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Brigham and Women's Hospital

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Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a top Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s Best Hospitals. Our innovations in virtually every area of clinical care, along with our history of breakthrough discoveries and medical firsts, have improved the health of people around the world.

Activity

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What is a low cholesterol diet?
    A healthy diet low in cholesterol includes:
    • Limiting intake of meat, poultry, and seafood to 6 ounces (oz.) per day. Choose lean meats and fish (baked, broiled, or grilled), and poultry (without skin), instead of prime and choice cuts, ground beef, sausage, cold cuts, hot dogs, and fried
    ...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What types of foods are highest in sodium?
    The following foods are high in sodium:
    • Processed/salted meats: ham, bacon, sausage, cold cuts, hot dogs
    • Koshered meat
    • Salted fish: tuna, sardines, anchovies, lox
    • Canned: vegetables, beans, soups, sauces, and gravy mixes
    • Convenience foods: many frozen entrees, pizzas, and boxed pasta/macaroni
    ...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What high-sodium seasonings or condiments should I limit or avoid?
    The following flavoring aids or seasonings are high in sodium:
    • Baking powder, baking soda
    • Salts: Garlic/Onion/Celery/Seasoning salts
    • Sauces: Steak, Teriyaki, Soy, Cocktail, Worcestershire, Tabasco, Tartar, Barbeque, Tomato sauces
    • Condiments: Ketchup, pickles, olives, relish, sauerkraut,
    ...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    How can I reduce my sodium intake?
    The following are general tips to reduce sodium intake:

    1. Salt should not be used in cooking or at the table.
    • Salt is 40% sodium.
    • 1 level teaspoon of salt contains 2300 milligrams of sodium. Your diet allows 2000 milligrams (mg) for the entire day.
    • Each shake of salt is approximately 200
    ...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    How can I reduce my sodium intake when dining out?
    Here are some tips for dining out if you are limiting your sodium intake:
    • Ask plenty of questions! You are paying to eat out so do not hesitate to ask about how items are prepared. Whenever possible, ask for your choices to be made without salt.
    • Avoid any entree or side dish with cream,
    ...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What are the symptoms of fluid retention?
    When your body is retaining fluid, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Feeling full earlier than usual with meals
    • Increased urination at night
    • Waking at night with shortness of breath
    • Weight gain (without a change in eating habits)
    • Swollen ankles
    ...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What foods can I eat if I'm on a low sodium diet?

    Here is a list of foods that you can eat if you are on a low sodium diet:

    Bread, cereals, and grains:

    • light and dark breads
    • unsalted crackers
    • matzo
    • melba toast
    • graham crackers
    • rice
    • pasta
    • hot cereals
    • cold cereals like shredded wheat
    • puffed rice

    Dairy:

    • eggs or egg substitutes
    • low sodium
    ...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What foods should I avoid if I'm on a low sodium diet?
    Here is a list of foods that you should avoid if you are on a low sodium diet:

    Bread, cereals, and grains:
    • salted crackers/snacks
    • instant individually packaged hot cereals, preseasoned rice, noodle, or potato mixes
    • stuffing mixes
    • frozen waffles/french toast
    Dairy:
    • cultured buttermilk
    ...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What are some conditions heart medications treat?
    There are lots of kinds of heart medications. There are some medications that:
    • Lower blood pressure
    • Slow heart rate
    • Increase oxygen supply to the heart
    • Get rid of excess fluid (water pills)
    • Regulate the heart rate
    There are also preventive medications for the heart that help prevent:...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    How can I manage my fluid balance if I have heart failure?
    In heart failure extra fluid builds up in the body, which makes the heart have to work harder. Restricting fluid intake can help to limit this build up of fluid. The following are some things you can do to help manage your body's fluid status:

    1. Limit your fluid intake per day. In the h...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What are sodium-free salt substitutes?
    The following salt substitutes contain 0 milligrams (mg) of sodium/salt:

    Mrs. Dash:
    1. Original Blend
    2. Extra Spicy Seasoning Blend
    3. Lemon Pepper Seasoning Blend
    4. Southwest Chipotle Seasoning Blend
    5. Tomato Basil Garlic Seasoning Blend
    6. Garlic & Herb Seasoning Blend
    7. Italian Medley Seasoning Blend
    ...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    How can I flavor food if I'm on a low sodium diet?
    If your salt intake is limited, there are other good options that can give interest to your meals: herbs and spices add delicious flavor and aroma to cooked meats, grains, vegetables, fruits, and salads. Many of them also provide health benefits. Consider using some of the following seasonings...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    How do heart medications work?
    In general, heart medications fall into groups that:
    • Block neurohormones -- Neurohormones tell the cells what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. We all produce them all the time; they are a normal part of life, but in heart disease, sometimes we make too many or even a normal amount
    ...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    How does heart disease affect the body?
    When we have a heart problem, many other organs become involved. And the other organs' responses often become part of what makes heart disease get worse. When we have heart trouble, the brain gets involved and it produces some hormones. The kidneys are very active in producing lots of neu...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What should a doctor consider when prescribing heart medication?
    Your doctor has a responsibility to treat your heart problems as completely as he or she can with as few medications as he or she can. As doctors, we give a lot of thought to which drug to use based on how to use a drug that can do more than one thing. So when we think about what medication...  Full Post