What Heart Healthy Diet Means To You

By James Spann


Numerous individuals in the present era are experiencing preventable illnesses that basically originate from their lifestyle. This is especially the case for the individuals who are less concerned with what they consume. Exercise has long been undermined. However, in order to remain healthy, free from such preventable diseases, it is advisable to observe a heart healthy diet and be active by exercising.

Healthy eating starts from the portion of food eaten. The amount of food you eat is as equally worrying as the type of food you are eating. You should always control the servings you eat and maintain a desirable and constant serving size. Having control over your food portion is important as it checks the amount of cholesterol and fat consumed. Also, make a habit of eating more foods with low calorie content, but rich in nutrients and minimize on refined and processed fast foods, with high sodium and calorie content. Vegetables and fruits are good examples of low calorie but nutrient rich foods.

Fruits and vegetables are vital sources of vitamins and minerals. They have high dietary fiber content with low calories. They also have substances that are particularly found in plants and which can help avoid cardiovascular disease. Eating vegetables and fruits more often may keep one of such fatty foods as snacks, meat and cheese which are dreadful to your heart.

It is even more easy and appetizing to feature fruits and vegetables in your diet. Keep a stock of washed and well cut vegetables in your refrigerator. This acts as quick snacks. Fruits should be kept in the kitchen, where they are easily seen to enhance appetite. Also incorporate fruits and vegetables in your recipes. Using these vitamins as main ingredients in vegetable stir-fry and fruit salads is appetizing.

However, be careful which fruit or fruit product you are consuming. Fresh or frozen vegetables and fruits are always ideal. For canned ones, choose vegetables with low amounts of sodium and fruits packed in juice and or water. Avoid fried vegetables and those with creamy sauce. Also avoid canned fruits in the form of heavy syrup and the frozen ones with some sugar additives.

Enhance your diet by adding whole grains. They are rich in dietary fiber among other nutrients that are vital in controlling blood pressure and enhancing heart healthy. The amount of whole grains can be enhanced in a diet by substituting refined grain products. You can also adventure in such whole grains as quinoa, whole-grain couscous and barley.

Whole grains can also be incorporated in terms of ground flaxseeds. These are the small brown seeds with high content of omega 3 fatty acids and fiber. They immensely lower blood cholesterol. The seeds are often grounded and used in yoghurt and hot cereal.

To sum it all, in healthy eating, remember to ensure that the total fat intake is less than 30% of aggregate calories daily. Saturated fatty acids should be below 10%, while polyunsaturated fatty acids maintained at 10% or less of total daily calories. Cholesterol and sodium intake must be observed at no more than 3000 milligrams per day. Reduce salt intake and be active. Exercise makes heart muscles strong.




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