Heart Healthy Living

Maintaining a Healthy Diet is a Very Important Part of Keeping Your Heart Working Efficiently.

After all, it is the only muscle that never gets a rest! So, it is imperative to provide your heart with the nutrients it needs to function properly as well as minimize your intake of foods that may cause it additional stress and strain.

Let’s Learn About the Key Points to Maintaining a Heart Healthy Diet and Lifestyle:

1. Limit your salt intake.

Table salt added to your food either at the table or during cooking should be restricted as increased sodium in the diet can lead to high blood pressure. Foods that are high in sodium should also be limited.

2. Limit your saturated fat intake.

Saturated fat is found in animal products such as meats, cheese, butter and dairy as well as in many prepackaged foods that contain hydrogenated vegetable fats and oils. Saturated fat can raise cholesterol levels and increase your risk for heart disease. It is important to read food labels and consume less than 10% of your total calories from saturated fats.

3. Watch your cholesterol intake.

Foods that are high in dietary cholesterol may raise your blood cholesterol levels and potentially cause plaque buildup in your arteries. This may also increase your risk for heart disease. Cholesterol is found in many animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy and should be limited to about 300 mg per day.

4. Increase your intake of fiber.

Fiber from fruits and vegetables as well as from whole grains may help reduce cholesterol in the blood stream and aid in prevention of heart disease. So, try getting in those 5 fruits and veggies a day!

5. Increase your intake of monounsaturated fats.

There is such a thing as “healthy” fat when it is consumed in moderation! Monounsaturated fats are found in nuts, olive oil, and even peanut butter, and they may help raise your HDL or “good” cholesterol when consumed regularly. Try switching your fat sources to those that are rich in monounsaturated fat.

6. Get moving!