February
Eating Towards a Healthy Heart
You may know that eating certain foods may increase your risk for heart disease, though it is often tough to changing our current eating habits. Whether you’ve been eating unhealthily for years or not. There are a few healthy-eating tips you can take advantage of to improve your overall health and heart health. Once you understand which foods and diets can significantly help, you’ll be on your way to greatness.
Portion Size
The amount you consume each meal is just as important as what you’re eating. Overloading your plate, taking seconds, or eating until you feel completely stuffed often leads to consuming more calories than you should take in each day.
To successfully control your portion sizes, consider taking a small plate or bowl. Eat larger portions of low-calorie foods, such as fruit or vegetables, and smaller portions of high-calorie foods, including bread or pasta. This strategy can help shape up your diet and improve heart health directly.
Whole Grains
Whole grains are the perfect source of fiber and nutrients that help play a significant role in blood pressure and heart health. By making substitutions for refined grain products to whole grains, you can achieve a heart-healthy diet. Be adventuresome and try out a few new whole grain options, including farro, quinoa, or barley products.
Whole grain products to choose include:
- Whole-wheat flour
- Whole-grain bread
- High-fiber cereal
- Whole grains including brown rice and buckwheat
- Whole-grain pasta
- Oatmeal
By limiting unhealthy foods, you can successfully reduce blood cholesterol and your risk for coronary artery disease. A high level of blood cholesterol can include plaque in the arteries, known as atherosclerosis, which directly increases the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Contact Us
If you have any further questions on leading a healthy lifestyle and consuming heart-healthy foods, please contact Brookhaven Heart by calling 631-654-3278. We would be happy to answer your questions or concerns!
