Why is a heart-healthy diet so important?
It helps you control your weight and reduce the risk of heart attack. Obesity is the leading cause of heart attacks in America.
Why?
A large percentage of Americans eat diets high in saturated fats and sugars.
You must eat foods rich in fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals. Avoid foods with too much fat, salt and sugar. Here are a few tips to help you create your own heart-healthy diet:
Eat Fresh Vegetables: There are many vegetables that you can eat raw as snacks. Carrot sticks, celery, red peppers, snow peas, and green beans make great snacks. Eat lots of green leafy vegetables like spinach, bok choy, romaine lettuce and cabbage. All of these vegetables are rich in essential vitamins and minerals and help keep your heart healthy.
Fresh Fruits: Rich in vitamin C and a great substitute for sugary foods are: pineapple, orange, banana, apple and strawberries. All are readily available at your local supermarket. Next time you’re craving something sweet, grab a piece of fruit and get rid of those cravings.
Lean Protein: Eat skinless chicken, fish, seafood, and lean red meat. They’re all packed with protein and essential amino acids that help keep your heart healthy.
Beans and Legumes: They are low in fat and high in fiber. These little wonders are superfoods that can help you meet your protein needs when you don’t eat meat. Chickpeas, kidney beans, lima beans, red kidney beans, and broad beans are all easy to prepare and go great with stir-fries.
Almonds: These are high in protein and essential fats. Just a handful a day can give you the energy boost you need. Instead of snacking on a packet of chips, try some nuts instead.
Stay Hydrated: The human body is made up of 70% water. Most people are dehydrated or chronically dehydrated. This makes you hungry when you’re really thirsty. Good, clean, pure water flushes toxins from your system and purifies your blood. Healthy blood means a healthy heart. Drink at least half a gallon of fresh water a day to stay hydrated.
Exercise: Your heart needs exercise to stay healthy. It improves your cardiovascular fitness, helps you control your weight and gives you more energy. Just 30 minutes of exercise a day can make all the difference for your heart.
So remember to take this information to heart; It is very important for a heart-healthy diet!
Thanks to Joel Gray
