If you're looking to start watching what you eat, it might be worth taking some advice from the experts. A fitness expert can recommend the right foods for a flat stomach, while a nutritionist can guide you against the "gross" foods she steers clear of. But what if heart health is on your mind? In that case, you might you want to take the recent advice of cardiac surgeon Jeremy London, MD. On June 10, London posted a video to his TikTok account @drjeremylondon to share four foods he "absolutely avoids" as a cardiac surgeon. Read on to find out what he recommends against.
RELATED: 7 Foods to Avoid With High Blood Pressure, Doctors Say.
1 | Fast food
ShutterstockThis one is probably an obvious one, but it bears repeating. Health experts have long spoken out about their concerns with fast food, and London is no exception. In fact, he calls out fast food as the number one food group he avoids.
"The name says it all, right? Most of what's available in fast food chains is 'edible food product,' it's not even real food," the cardiac surgeon says.
RELATED: The 3 "Ultraprocessed" Foods You Must Avoid for a Longer Life, 30-Year Study Finds.
2 | Soft drinks
champpixs / iStockSorry, soda lovers, but soft drinks are also something this heart surgeon avoids. Unfortunately, it doesn't make a difference if you're opting for a low-calorie or no-sugar option: When it comes to heart health, London says it's important to avoid both regular and diet soft drinks.
"Liquid death—don't drink 'em," he tells viewers.
RELATED: The Best and Worst Supplements for Heart Health, Doctors Say.
3 | Milk products
iStockDon't go switching out your Diet Coke for a glass of cold milk—London also advises against milk products.
"We are the only mammals that drink milk outside of infancy, and we drink it from a different species," he says. "Think about it."
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that adults in the U.S. only use milk products that are low-fat or fat-free, because they contain less saturated fats than whole milk options.
"Saturated fats tend to raise the level of LDL-C cholesterol in the blood," the AHA explains. "High LDL-C cholesterol is one of the six major risk factors for heart disease that can be changed, treated or modified. It can also lead to developing other heart and blood vessel diseases."
4 | Alcohol
New Africa / ShutterstockThe last thing London says he avoids is alcohol—and yes, that includes both binge-drinking hard liquor and having a couple glasses of wine with dinner.
"Alcohol is absolutely toxic to every cell in our bodies. Even moderate or occasional use is, in fact, detrimental," London cautions. "So if we are working so hard to optimize our health, the least you could do is stop actively poisoning your body."
Best Life offers the most up-to-date information from top experts, new research, and health agencies, but our content is not meant to be a substitute for professional guidance. When it comes to the medication you're taking or any other health questions you have, always consult your healthcare provider directly.
