Prevent Heart Disease With a Heart
Healthy Diet
If you are like most Americans, it is very
likely that you are in desperate need of a heart healthy diet. Over the past
several decades, the diet eaten by the average American has gotten
progressively worse. Not surprisingly, as our diets have become less healthy,
incident rates of heart disease have risen precipitously. The good news? There
are plenty of steps that can be taken to implement a heart healthy diet and
avoid heart disease.
Where to Start
Reforming one's eating habits is, admittedly,
not an easy task. It is however, a task that is well worth the effort. In your
transition to a heart healthy diet, the best place to start is with fats and
cholesterol.
Nowadays, it is not uncommon for a single meal
to contain well over half of the daily recommended intake of either of these
nutritional components. Our focus on convenient foods that are ready right away
has placed nutritional value at the bottom of our collective list of priorities
when selecting food.
Of all of the changes that a person can make
on their road to a heart healthy diet, limiting your intake of saturated and
trans fats provides the largest benefit. Keeping these two dietary components
in check helps to reduce your blood cholesterol and, in turn, lowers your risk
of developing heart disease. When choosing foods based upon their fat content,
be wary of butter, cream-based sauces, and hydrogenated margarine. As a rule,
keeping your fat intake under 25% of your total daily calories can work wonders
on keeping your heart healthy and strong.
Keeping it Going
While lowering your intake of saturated and
trans fats is perhaps the most significant change a person can make in
transitioning to a heart healthy diet, there are several other changes that can
also make a big difference.
On your next trip to the grocery store, keep
your eyes peeled for products that are made with whole grains. Not only are
whole grains a great source of fiber, they also play a key role in regulating
blood pressure. In short, these unrefined grains are a powerful ingredient in
your heart healthy diet. Instead of grabbing a loaf
of white bread, opt for the whole-grain bread instead. Another great way to
integrate whole grains into your diet is via oatmeal. This tasty treat can be
combined with berries for an even yummier snack.
Eat Your Vegetables (and Fruits too)
Remember mom's famous words? For children,
they can be a source of disdain, or even terror. As an adult, however, it is
important to understand that your mother was right - eating your vegetables IS
an important part of staying healthy. For this reason, your heart healthy diet
will never be complete if it does not include regular servings of fruits and
vegetables.
Amanda Paul is the writer and content manager
for BistroMD, one of the nation's industry leaders in home delivery of
delicious meals designed for a lighter, healthier you.
In addition to content management, Amanda is
also editor of the company's weekly newsletters and is the head of SEO
marketing.
Amanda earned her B.A. in Communication from
Florida Gulf Coast University in 2009, as well as a Minor in Journalism.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Amanda_J._Paul_/444844
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