WellNow

Nutrition for Heart Failure Patients

  • Limit sodium in your diet by not using salt in cooking or at the table.
  • Foods prepared away from home can be high in sodium. Ask for nutrition information or check restaurant websites. Request that your food be made without added salt and put condiments on the side to avoid eating extra salt. 
  • Small, frequent meals may be better tolerated.
  • Fluids may need to be restricted. Check with your doctor.
  • Weighing yourself daily is one way to monitor fluid weight gain.
  • If fluids are restricted, try rinsing your mouth with mouthwash, or suck on hard candy or ice chips to quench your thirst.
  • Include fiber with your balanced meals.
  • If your appetite decreases, check with your doctor and dietitian about adding a nutrition supplement.

Contact your doctor before making any diet changes as related to your medical condition(s).

To make an appointment for nutrition counseling:

Outpatient diet counseling — 484-526-1000
Diabetes Center — 484-526-3025