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Manhattan Cardiology

Manhattan Cardiology’s cardiologist, Roshini Malaney, DO, speaks to Bustle about Heart Health Apps That Don’t Track Calories

1. Instant Heart Rate

2. Cardiograph

3. Cardiogram

4. CardioVisual

Why is it important for people to think about their heart health independently of caloric intake? In what ways is heart health simply more complicated than that?

If a person is eating heart-healthy foods such as legumes, leafy greens, nuts, and fish they are usually getting enough calories to fill them up longer with excess calories. Malaney says, “Avoiding processed foods will automatically decrease calorie intake.” Ultra-processed foods such as chips, donuts and frozen meals can contain almost double the number of calories as unprocessed foods and contain higher amounts of sugar, carbohydrates and saturated fats.

When can it be dangerous for people to focus exclusively on calories in and out?

Limiting caloric intake can sometimes lead to weight gain instead of weight loss. When the body thinks it’s not going to get food or that it is scarce, it will hold on to whatever we eat as fat which leads to weight gain.

What are some heart health markers aside from calories that people might want to track if they’re concerned about their heart health?

Tracking fat, protein, and carbohydrates is also very important for heart health. Healthy protein is considered to be lean and also helps to keep you full longer.  Fat can also be healthy. Good fats like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can be found in avocados, olive oil, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish.


View the original piece placement on Bustle.