February Heart Health Month
During the month of February, American Heart Health Month is celebrated to bring awareness and prevention of heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease, which can lead to a heart attack. A healthy lifestyle, consisting of regular physical activity and a diet of fruits and vegetables can help prevent heart disease (CDC, 2021).
Healthy Habits: Preventing Heart Disease
| Reduce intake of foods high in saturated and trans fat
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Bake, grill, steam, braise, sauté, broil, or stew foods instead of deep frying.
Try cooking with olive oil instead of lard or butter |
| Reduce intake of foods high in sodium/salt
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Use a variety of spices and herbs to add flavor such as basil, rosemary, garlic, curry powder, thyme, or crush red pepper |
| Increase intake of fiber | Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables including whole grains |
| Be Physically Active
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Brisk walking around your favorite mall or park, have a dance party with your little ones
*Adults: 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every week *Children and Adolescents: 1 hour of physical activity every day. |
References
CDC. (2021, January 19). Heart Disease. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov: https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/index.htm
Cole, H. (2017, August 2). The Ultimate Guide to Herbs and Spices in 7 Handy Charts. Retrieved from https://www.finedininglovers.com: https://www.finedininglovers.com/article/ultimate-guide-herbs-and-spices-7-handy-charts
Harker, J. (2019, March 12). Easy to Eat Whole Grains. Retrieved from https://brownfieldagnews.com: https://brownfieldagnews.com/healthy-living/easy-to-eat-whole-grains/
