When it comes to maintaining a healthy heart, your diet plays a crucial role. The food you eat can either support or harm your cardiovascular health.

While there are plenty of heart-friendly foods out there, it’s essential to be aware of the ones that can pose significant risks to your heart health. Here are 30 foods that should be consumed in moderation or avoided altogether for a healthier heart.

1. Trans Fats

Trans fats, often found in processed snacks, fast food, and fried foods, are known to raise bad cholesterol levels while decreasing good cholesterol. This combination increases the risk of heart disease.

2. Sugary Beverages

Sodas, energy drinks, sweetened teas, and fruit juices with added sugars can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and inflammation—all of which contribute to heart disease development.

3. Processed Meats

Hot dogs, sausages, bacon, and deli meats are often high in sodium, saturated fats, and cholesterol. These processed meats have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and other health problems.

4. Red Meat

While lean cuts of red meat can be part of a healthy diet, excessive consumption of fatty cuts like steak, beef, or lamb can raise your cholesterol levels and potentially increase the risk of heart disease.

5. Deep-Fried Foods

Foods like French fries, fried chicken, and onion rings are typically high in unhealthy fats and calories. Regularly consuming deep-fried foods can lead to weight gain, high cholesterol levels, and an increased risk of heart disease.

6. High-Sodium Foods

Excess sodium in your diet can contribute to high blood pressure, which is a primary risk factor for heart disease. Processed foods, canned soups, and fast food often contain excessive amounts of sodium.

7. Refined Grains

Refined grains, including white bread, pasta, and rice, have had their bran and germ removed, stripping away most of their fiber and nutrients. These foods can cause spikes in blood sugar and lead to weight gain, increasing the risk of heart disease.

8. High-Fat Dairy Products

Foods such as full-fat milk, cheese, and butter can be high in saturated and trans fats, which raise LDL cholesterol levels. Opting for low-fat or fat-free dairy products is a heart-healthy choice.

9. Artificial Sweeteners

While they may seem like a healthier alternative to sugar, artificial sweeteners have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, weight gain, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. It’s best to limit their consumption.

10. Excessive Alcohol

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can lead to high blood pressure, increased triglyceride levels, and heart failure. It’s important to moderate alcohol consumption and keep it within recommended limits.

11. Canned Soups

Canned soups are often loaded with sodium and preservatives. Consuming them regularly can contribute to high blood pressure and negatively affect heart health.

12. Fast Food

Regularly indulging in fast food meals, which are typically high in unhealthy fats, sodium, and calories, can increase your risk of obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

13. Margarine

While margarine was marketed as a healthier alternative to butter, many margarine brands contain harmful trans fats. These fats increase LDL cholesterol levels while decreasing HDL cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease.

14. Ready-to-Eat Snacks

Snack items like chips, cookies, cakes, and pastries are often loaded with trans fats, added sugars, and unhealthy oils. These treats offer little nutritional value and can have a negative impact on heart health.

15. High-Fructose Corn Syrup

High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a common sweetener found in many processed foods and beverages, has been linked to obesity, diabetes, and an increased risk of heart disease. Limit your consumption of foods containing HFCS.

16. Excessive Salt

While a small amount of salt is necessary for the body, excessive salt intake can lead to high blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease. Be mindful of your salt consumption and opt for other flavor-enhancing alternatives when possible.

17. Packaged Desserts

Pre-packaged desserts often contain high levels of unhealthy trans fats, added sugars, and refined flours. These ingredients can raise cholesterol, promote inflammation, and harm heart health.

18. High-Caffeine Energy Drinks

Energy drinks that contain excessive amounts of caffeine can raise blood pressure, increase heart rate, and cause palpitations. Drinking these beverages regularly can be dangerous for your heart health.

19. Butter and Solid Fats

Solid fats, including butter and lard, are high in unhealthy saturated and trans fats. Opt for healthier fats like olive oil or avocado instead for better heart health.

20. Processed Snacks

Snack foods like pretzels, potato chips, and cheese puffs are usually high in unhealthy fats, sodium, and added sugars. These snacks offer little nutritional value and should be consumed sparingly.

21. Coconut Oil

Although coconut oil is often marketed as a healthier alternative, it is high in saturated fats that can raise LDL cholesterol levels. Use coconut oil in moderation and opt for healthier oils like olive or canola oil.

22. Full-Fat Salad Dressings

Full-fat salad dressings often contain high amounts of unhealthy fats, excessive calories, and added sugars. Choose low-fat or light dressings to keep your heart healthy.

23. Store-Bought Baked Goods

Commercially baked goods like muffins, croissants, and doughnuts are generally high in trans fats and refined flour. These treats can increase bad cholesterol levels and be detrimental to heart health.

24. High-Sugar Cereals

Cereals marketed towards children often contain high levels of added sugars. Starting the day with a high-sugar cereal can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels and increase the risk of heart disease.

25. Canned Vegetables with added Sodium

While vegetables are generally heart-healthy, canned vegetables with added sodium can significantly increase your salt intake. Opt for fresh or frozen veggies instead.

26. Ice Cream

Ice cream and other frozen desserts are often high in unhealthy fats, added sugars, and calories. Excessive consumption can lead to weight gain, high cholesterol, and an increased risk of heart disease.

27. Commercially Packaged Puddings and Custards

These desserts are typically loaded with added sugars and unhealthy fats. Consuming them regularly can contribute to weight gain and negatively impact heart health.

28. Deep-Dish Pizza

Deep-dish pizzas are often loaded with saturated fats, refined grains, and processed meats. Regularly consuming such pizza can raise LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and increase the risk of heart disease.

29. Artificially Flavored Snacks

Snack items that are artificially flavored often contain unhealthy fats, added sugars, and preservatives. These ingredients can have a negative impact on heart health when consumed frequently.

30. High-Sugar Sports Drinks

Sports drinks marketed as providing energy during physical activities can be high in added sugars. These sweetened beverages can contribute to weight gain and potentially increase the risk of heart disease.