Cardiologist shares 5 Indian food habits that could increase your heart attack risk: Skip samosas, jalebis and pickles

Learn about five everyday eating habits in India that might raise your risk of a heart attack. Talk to your doctor for better heart-healthy choices.

As World Heart Day on September 29th approaches, it’s important to discuss a hidden risk in our kitchens: the food we eat. Indian cuisine is renowned for its diverse flavours and numerous dishes. However, some everyday eating habits in this cuisine may raise our risk of heart attacks. We need to be cautious. Here are five everyday Indian food habits that could increase your risk of heart-related issues, prompting us to reconsider our choices for a healthier future.

What are five foods cardiologists say not to eat? (Adobe Stock)

By Tavishi Dogra

Tavishi Dogra is a Deputy Chief Content Producer, Health & Wellness, at Hindustan Times. She has over 9 years of experience writing about fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, translating medical research and expert insights into practical advice readers can trust.

Career journey and experience
Tavishi began her health journalism journey in 2017, and has since reported for RSTV, Financial Express, Jagran, HT Media Labs and Zee. She joined Hindustan Times to simplify wellness subjects by cutting through jargon.

From decoding health trends and interviewing doctors to testing fitness routines herself, Tavishi always approaches content with one filter: “Will this help someone make a better decision today?”

Subject expertise
With 9+ years tracking India’s health conversations, Tavishi knows the gap between clinical advice and daily life. She knows fads from fundamentals and curates science-backed, expert-recommended solutions.

In fitness, she breaks down bodyweight training, recovery, and posture fixes for desk-bound readers. In nutrition, she translates guidelines into affordable, desi meal tweaks. In mental well-being, she focuses on stigma-free, actionable tools — all backed by research, expert input, and lived context.

Education and professional background
Tavishi holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and began her career reporting on public affairs for broadcast. Those early years in policy and TV shaped how she writes today: fast, factual, and human-first.

Editorial Philosophy
I write with one single goal: To simplify health in a world full of noise by finding what’s actually doable, safe, and evidence-based for my readers. I test claims against research and user experiences. When all else fails, I speak to the expert who sees 50 patients a day, not the one with the most followers.

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What are 5 foods cardiologists say not to eat?

"As a heart doctor, I have seen how harmful certain habits can be. We need to understand these habits and use that knowledge to take better care of our hearts." Dr Anand Kumar Pandey, Senior Director – Cardiology at Max Healthcare, tells Health Shots.

Excessive ghee, butter, and hydrogenated fats (vanaspati)

The danger: Ghee, butter, and hydrogenated fats are commonly used in Indian cooking, offering rich flavours but at a cost to our health. These ingredients are significant sources of saturated and trans fats.

Health risks:

• Elevated LDL (bad) cholesterol levels
• Decreased HDL (good) cholesterol levels
• Increased likelihood of heart disease

Cardiologist's recommendations:

• Moderate your use of ghee and butter.
• Choose healthier oils, such as olive or canola oil.
• Focus on balanced consumption to promote better heart health.

2. Deep-fried foods (pakoras, samosas, puris)

The danger: Deep-fried snacks, such as pakoras, samosas, and puris, are staples in Indian cuisine. However, frequent consumption poses severe health risks.

Health risks:

• Development of trans fats and oxidised cholesterol during frying
• Excessive calorie intake leading to weight gain
• Increased inflammation and risk of heart disease

Cardiologist's recommendations:

• Limit deep-fried foods to special occasions.
• Embrace healthier cooking techniques such as baking, grilling, or air-frying.
• Moderation is important for enjoying these popular snacks while safeguarding your health.

3. High intake of refined carbohydrates and sugary sweets

The danger: From fluffy white rice and refined flour (maida) rotis to an array of mouthwatering sweets, such as gulab jamun and jalebi, our diets often contain excessive amounts of refined carbohydrates and added sugars.

Health risks:

• Strong correlations established between high sugar intake and cardiovascular disease
• Spikes in blood sugar levels leading to insulin resistance

Cardiologist's recommendations:

• Choose whole grains, such as brown rice, millets, and whole wheat flour.

Reduce your intake of sugary beverages and desserts.

• Opt for natural sugars found in fruits as a healthier alternative.

4. Excessive salt consumption in pickles, papads, and chutneys

The danger: High-sodium foods are common in Indian meals, particularly in pickles, papads, and chutneys. These can stealthily increase your salt intake.

Health risks:

• Elevated sodium levels leading to high blood pressure
• Increased risk of heart attacks and strokes

Cardiologist's recommendations:

• Be mindful of hidden salts present in processed foods.
• Reduce overall salt consumption and use herbs and spices for flavouring.
• Keeping sodium levels in check can significantly benefit your heart health.

5. Large portion sizes and irregular meal timings

The danger: The tradition of generous hospitality often leads to massive portion sizes, especially during festivals. Consuming excessive calories in a single meal, especially late at night, can strain your digestive system and put a strain on your heart.

Health risks:

• Strain on the cardiovascular system due to large food intakes
• Disruptions in metabolism linked to irregular meal timings
• Increased risk of weight gain and other related health issues

Cardiologist's recommendations:

• Practice mindful eating by paying attention to hunger cues.
• Opt for smaller, more frequent meals to maintain weight.
• Establish regular meal timings to support optimal metabolic function.

What are some habits to adopt for a healthy heart?

It is important to adapt our cherished food traditions to align with modern health knowledge. Even small changes in daily eating habits can lead to significant improvements in heart health.

This World Heart Day, let’s commit to:

• Making informed choices about our diets
• Adopting healthier cooking practices
• Prioritising cardiovascular well-being

(Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor for any questions about a medical condition.)