Introduction
Heart disease is the number one killer
of both men and women in the United States. If you are worried about heart
disease, one of the most important things you can do is to start eating a
heart-healthy diet. Changing your diet can help stop or even reverse heart
disease.
At first, it may seem like there is a lot to learn. But
you don't have to make these changes all at once. Start with small steps. Over
time, making a number of small changes can add up to a big difference in your
heart health.
To have a heart-healthy diet:
- Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and
other high-fiber foods.
- Choose foods that are low in saturated
fat, trans fat, and cholesterol.
- Limit salt (sodium).
-
Stay at a healthy weight by balancing the calories you eat with your physical
activity.
- Eat more foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as
fish.
- Limit drinks and foods with
added sugar.
For more information on other heart-healthy diets and exercising for a healthy heart, see:
Heart Disease: Exercising for a Healthy Heart.- Walking for a Healthy Heart.
- Comparing Heart-Healthy Diets
(What is a document?). - High Blood Pressure: Using the DASH Diet.
- High Cholesterol: Using the TLC Diet.
- Mediterranean Diet.
Return to topic:
References
Other Works Consulted
American Heart Association (2006). Diet and lifestyle
recommendations revision 2006. Circulation, 114(1):
82–96. [Erratum in Circulation, 114(1): e27.]
Gidding SS, et al. (2005). Dietary recommendations for
children and adolescents: A guide for practitioners. Consensus statement from
the American Heart Association. Circulation, 112:
2061–2075.