Heart disease kills millions of people annually. There are factors that we cannot control, but put us at increased risk for heart disease. These factors include increasing age, being male, and having a family history of heart disease. Fortunately, one of the things that we can control when it comes to heart disease is eating a heart-healthy diet. This diet is good for everyone, not only people who have heart disease.
Choose foods that are low in saturated fats and trans fats – Saturated fats are most often found in dairy products, as well as coconut and palm oil. choose unsaturated fats, but you still want to make sure that you are not eating too much fat. Unsaturated fats are found in foods such as nuts and seeds, olive and canola oil, safflower and soybean oils.
High-sodium diets are the enemy of a healthy heart. It is essential that you keep your sodium intake as low as possible. For starters, cut down on sodas (including diet sodas), salty snacks and any other obviously-salty items.