Heart Healthy Hints

Blog post written by Melissa Elliott, IUPUI Dietetic Intern

Happy American Heart Month! February is a time meant to encourage heart disease prevention by sharing healthy lifestyle tips and increasing awareness of heart health. Heart disease is one of the most common causes of death for American men and women. The good news is that up to 80% of heart disease is preventable by following a heart-healthy lifestyle.  ​

Photo from blog.publix.com

Nutrition is a key factor to a heart-healthy lifestyle. What are some ways you can eat to protect your heart health? 

• Aim for 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. 

• Eat more whole grains! A great place to start is replacing the bread or pasta you eat with a whole grain choice. 
• Focus on healthy fats. Foods such as fish, nuts, eggs, avocado, and olive oil are high in healthy fats. 
• Reduce foods that are high in saturated fat. These include red meats, butter, and cheese. 
• Reduce your intake of added sugars and sodium. Try swapping sugar sweetened beverages for drinks like flavored water. If possible, choose reduced sodium items from the store and focus on fresh produce and lean protein. 

Photo from food-guide.canada.ca

Try these heart-healthy meals from our Recipes Page to get started! 

• Heart Healthy Omelet
• Pecan Crusted Catfish
• Southwest Stuffed Peppers

You can also download our Heart Healthy Eating handout for more information.

Sources: 
https://blog.publix.com/publix/a-heart-healthy-diet-for-heart-healthy-month/ 
​https://theheartfoundation.org/heart-health-month/ 
https://www.cookremodeling.com/six-tips-for-being-heart-healthy/