How to Create a Heart Healthy Diet

Keeping your heart healthy can lead to a longer and more fulfilling life. A heart healthy diet along with exercise has been proven to have a profound effect on the overall health of a person. A heart healthy diet will lower your cholesterol and decrease your risk for developing heart disease. Read on to learn how to create a heart healthy diet.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Cut the saturated fat from your diet. This is the easiest way to create a heart healthy diet. Saturated fat can be found in junk food, fatty cuts of meats and whole milk dairy products.
2. Choose lean cuts of meat. Chicken and beef cuts should have the fat and skin removed. It is recommended that you limit the amount of meat that you eat to less than 6 oz a day.
3. Eat more fish. Fish is an excellent menu choice for people looking to create a heart healthy diet. You can add a variety of fishes to your heart healthy diet including sea bass and flounder.
4. Remove the yolks from eggs. Egg yolks are very high in cholesterol. If a recipe calls for eggs, remove the yolks first or use an egg substitute like Egg Beaters.
5. Purchase low-fat or non-fat dairy products. There are reduced-fat and fat-free cheeses, milks and sour creams that you can enjoy on your heart healthy diet.
6. Consume healthy fats. Using products with unsaturated fat can keep your heart healthy. Instead of using butter or vegetable oil, cook with olive oil.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do substitute the egg yolks in recipes, remember that two egg whites equal one whole egg.
• Remember to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables on your heart healthy diet. All dishes that you serve should contain a variety of fresh fruit and veggies.