Eating well for a healthy heart doesn’t necessarily mean staying away from burgers, french fries or cold drinks. But it has to be kept in mind that these foods should not be included in the regular diet. Dr Robert Eckel, former head of the American Heart Association, has recently issued guidelines regarding food that keeps the heart healthy.
A 150-Minute Workout A Week
Heart-related risks can be reduced by keeping the weight balanced throughout your life. Working out for 150 minutes a week keeps the energy balance right. Energy needs decrease by 70-100 calories for every decade of age, therefore, regular tracking of diet is necessary.
Eat Dark-Coloured Fruits And Vegetables
Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables as they have more phytochemicals. These are helpful in preventing serious diseases. There are more nutrients in dark-coloured fruits and vegetables. Eating whole instead of juice will get more fibre.
Choose Whole Grains Instead Of Refined
The nutrients in refined grains are removed. Therefore, give preference to food made from whole grains. Whole grains have three layers: bran, endosperm and inner seed. Hence, they are rich in nutrients. It has been proven in many studies that eating whole grains helps in the control of heart risk factors.
Avoid Added Sugar/Salt
Avoid items and drinks that contain added sugar. This increases the risk of diabetes and heart diseases. Apart from this, experts believe that doctors must talk to patients about the number of fruits, vegetables and whole grains they eat or how much do they know about their benefits.