Changing your eating habits can be tough. Start with these eight strategies to kick-start your way toward a heart-healthy diet.
Although you might know consuming certain meals can increase your cardiovascular disease risk, it's often tough to change your dietary habits. Whether you have years of harmful consuming under your buckle or you simply want to fine-tune your daily eating plan, here are eight heart-healthy eating plan tips. Once you know which meals to eat more of and which meals to limit, you'll be on your way toward a heart-healthy eating plan.
1. Reducing unhealthy fats
Of the possible changes, limiting how much saturated and trans fats you eat is the most important step you can take to reduce your blood cholesterol and lower your risk of coronary artery disease. A high blood cholesterol level can lead to a buildup of plaques in your arteries, called atherosclerosis, which can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
The American Heart Association offers these guidelines for how much fat and cholesterol to include in a heart-healthy diet:
The best way to decrease unhealthy body fat eating plan plan is to limit the amount of solid body fat — butter, marg. and shortening — you add to food when cooking and serving. You can also decrease the amount of soaked body fat eating plan plan by trimming fat off your meat or choosing liver organ with less than 10 percent fat.You can also use low-fat substitutions when possible for a heart-healthy eating plan. For example, top your baked potato with salsa or low-fat yogurt rather than butter, or use low-sugar fruit spread on your toast instead of marg..
You may also want to check the food labels of some cookies, crackers and chips. Many of these snacks — even those labeled "reduced fat" — may be made with oils containing trans fats. One clue that a food has some trans fat in it is the phrase "partially hydrogenated" in the ingredient list.
When you do use fats, choose monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil or canola oil. Polyunsaturated fats, found in nuts and seeds, also are good choices for a heart-healthy diet. When used in place of saturated fat, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats may help lower your total blood cholesterol. But moderation is essential. All types of fat are high in calories.
2.Choose foods rich in protein and low-fat
Lean meat, chicken and fish, low-fat milk products, and egg whites or egg alternatives are some of your best sources of protein. But be careful to choose lower fat options, such as skimmed milk products rather than use products and skin free chicken chests rather than fried chicken patties.
Fish is another good alternative to high-fat meats. And certain types of fish are heart healthy because they're rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower blood fats called triglycerides. You'll find the highest amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in cold-water fish, such as salmon, mackerel and herring. Other sources are flaxseed, walnuts, soybeans and canola oil.
Legumes — beans, peas and lentils — also are good sources of protein and contain less fat and no cholesterol, making them good substitutes for meat. Substituting soy protein for animal protein — for example, a soy burger for a hamburger — will reduce your fat and cholesterol intake.
3. Rely more on vegetables and fruit
Vegetables and fruits and fresh vegetables are good sources of vitamins and minerals; they are low in calories and rich in dietary fiber. Vegetables and fruits and fresh vegetables also contain substances found in plants that may help prevent cardiovascular disease. Eating more fresh vegetables and fruit may help you eat less high-fat foods, such as meat, cheese and snack foods.Featuring vegetables and fruits in your diet can be easy. Keep vegetables washed and cut in your refrigerator for quick snacks. Keep fruit in a bowl in your kitchen so that you'll remember to eat it. Choose recipes that have vegetables or fruits as the main ingredient, such as vegetable stir-fry or fresh fruit mixed into salads.
4. Eating whole grains
Whole grain are good sources of fiber and other nutrients that be a factor in controlling hypertension and center health. You can increase the amount of whole grain in a heart-healthy diet by making simple alternatives for enhanced grain products.
Another easy way to add whole grains to your diet is ground flaxseed. Flaxseeds are small brown seeds that are high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower your total blood cholesterol. You can grind the seeds in a coffee grinder or food processor and stir a teaspoon of them into yogurt, applesauce or hot cereal.
5. Reduce the sodium in your food
- Healthy adults have no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium a day (about a teaspoon)
- People age 51 or older, African-Americans, and people who have been diagnosed with high blood
pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease have no more than 1,500 mg of sodium a day
Although reducing the amount of salt you add to food at the table or while cooking is a good first step, much of the salt you eat comes from canned or processed foods, such as soups and frozen dinners. Eating fresh foods and making your own soups and stews can reduce the amount of salt you eat. If you like the convenience of canned soups and prepared meals, look for ones with reduced sodium.
Another way to decrease the quantity of sodium you eat is to select your condiments properly. Many condiments are available in reduced-sodium editions, and sodium alternatives can add taste to your meals with less sodium.
6. Control your portion size
Moreover to understanding which meals to eat, you'll also need to know how much you should eat. Over-loading your dish, getting a few moments and consuming until you experience packed can cause to consuming more calorie consumption, fat and cholestrerol levels than you should. Sections provided in dining places are often more than anyone needs. Keep a record of the variety of meals you eat — and use appropriate helping dimensions — to help management the amount you eat.A serving size is a specific amount of food, defined by common measurements such as cups, ounces or pieces. For example, one serving of pasta is 1/2 cup, or about the size of a hockey puck. A serving of meat, fish or chicken is 2 to 3 ounces, or about the size and thickness of a deck of cards. Judging serving size is a learned skill. You may need to use measuring cups and spoons or a scale until you're comfortable with your judgment.
7. Plans for the future - Create daily lists
You know what meals to function in your heart-healthy eating plan and which ones to restrict. Now it's time to put your programs into activity.
Create daily menus using the six strategies listed above. When selecting foods for each meal and snack, emphasize vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Choose lean protein sources and limit high-fat and salty foods.
Watch your portion sizes and add variety to your menu choices. For example, if you have grilled salmon one evening, try a black bean burger the next night. This helps ensure that you'll get all of the nutrients your body needs. Variety also makes your meals and snacks more interesting.
8. Allow an occasional treat
Allow yourself an pleasure every now and then. A sweets bar or number of snacks won't destroy your heart-healthy diet strategy. But don't let it become an reason for providing up on your healthy-eating strategy. If overindulgence is the exemption, rather than the concept, you'll stability things out over the long run. What's important is that you eat healthier food most of the time.Incorporate these eight tips into your life, and you'll continue to find that heart-healthy eating is both doable and enjoyable. With planning and a few simple substitutions, you can eat with your heart in mind.
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