Make these heart-healthy diet changes in honor of American Heart Month.
February is American Heart Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness for heart disease. One of the major goals of this month is to encourage lifestyle changes that will improve your heart health. Ready to make some healthy changes? Then try out these heart-healthy diet changes this month.
Switch to Whole Grains
Whole grains are good sources of fiber and other nutrients that help your body regulate your blood pressure and keep your heart healthy. Rather than filling up on refined grain products (white breads, sweet cereals, etc.) try incorporating some of the following heart-healthy whole grains into your diet:
- Whole-grain bread
- Brown rice
- Barley
- Quinoa
- Oats/oatmeal
Limit Unhealthy Fats
It’s important to understand that not all fats are detrimental to your health. Fatty foods like olive oil, avocados, and salmon are actually good for you and are great sources of heart-healthy fats. However, there are other, unhealthy fats that you should cut from your diet. For the sake of your heart health, do your best to avoid the following:
- Butter
- Lard
- Bacon fat
- Shortening
- Gravies
- Cream sauces
Choose Low-Fat Sources of Protein
Fatty red meats or processed meats are high in cholesterol and other harmful fats that can negatively affect your heart. Switching over to low-fat or plant-based protein sources is a great way to get the protein that your body needs in a way that does not compromise your heart health. Here are some of the good protein sources you should try out:
- Lean poultry
- Fish
- Low-fat dairy products
- Eggs
- Legumes
- Soybeans and other soy products
These are some of the heart-healthy diet changes that you should make in honor of American Heart Month. Do you want another way to take care of yourself this February? Then make sure you have the right insurance protection in place. For assistance with all your coverage needs, contact the experts at 01 Insurance in Astoria, New York today.