Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the country. One of the main reasons for this is that many individuals don’t receive the proper nutrition they need to live healthy lives.
One way to fight heart disease is to eat a balanced diet. The food stamp program, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), provides healthy food choices to help beneficiaries eat a balanced diet every day. Here are some tips that can help you prepare a healthy diet:
- Avoid Unhealthy Fats – Read the labels of food you buy. Avoid anything that says “partially hydrogenated” and those that aren’t trans-fat free. When cooking, limit the amount of butter, shortening and margarine. Substitute them with canola oil and olive oil instead.
- Limit the Salt – If you want a healthy diet, it’s best to limit your salt intake to less than 2300 milligrams per day. That means using blended, sodium-free herbs and spices. It also means limiting your intake of canned, processed foods and eating fresh, homemade foods.
- Load up on Lean Protein When You Can – Avoiding meat once or twice a week is important for a healthy diet. During the “meatless” days, you can take beans and legumes as your source of protein. Other sources include soy products, skim milk and other low-fat dairy products.
- Take Whole Grains – Whole-grain variants of popular ingredients like bread, pasta, cereals, or flour are loaded with nutrients that are good for your heart. In addition, whole grain products are rich in fiber making you feel fuller longer. This can help keep your food intake in check.
- Don’t Forget Fruits and Vegetables – Fruits and vegetables help lower your cholesterol. This is vital in preventing heart disease.
