Are you taking care of your heart? February is Heart Month and the perfect time to take stock of your heart’s health and wellbeing. But what does that mean? We have some easy tips and changes you can start making to insure your heart stays healthy for years to come.
Cut the sodium. Nearly all of us are consuming too much sodium. By cutting back on processed foods and eating at home more, you can cut your diet’s sodium levels considerably. Up to 75% of the sodium in the average American diet comes from processed or restaurant foods, so start by eating one less meal out per week.
Stay away from saturated fat. To help you lower your cholesterol- and keep your heart in tip top shape- avoid saturated fats as much as possible. For someone eating 2,000 calories per day, you should only consume about 13 grams of saturated fat. The majority of saturated fat comes from meats such as fatty beef, lamb, pork and poultry with skin. Full-fat dairy products, such as butter, cream, cheese and products made from whole or 2 percent milk, are also high in saturated fat. Start checking your labels and choose lean cuts of meat and 1% or skim milk to cut back.
Avoid trans fats. Last fall, the Food and Drug Administration announced that it intends to ban trans fats in processed foods. This will help you avoid these unhealthy options, but be aware that trans fats are also found in many fried foods and baked goods such as pastries, pizza dough, pie crust, cookies and crackers.
Stay active. Being physically active is a huge part of preventing heart disease and stroke. Just 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five times a week is enough to stay healthy. Brisk walking, swimming, bicycling or a dance class are excellent choices. Many people don’t exercise at all, so anything active is better than nothing!
Your lifestyle is the key to keeping your heart healthy. These small dietary and exercise changes can help keep your heart healthy and happy for years to come. As long as you are making an effort to make good choices most of the time, you don’t need to sweat the occasional cookie or drive-thru lunch. Moderation and good choices are key to a healthy heart for years to come!
This post is sponsored by Shape Your Future.
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