Three Fast Diet Fixes
Heart-Healthy Eating Plan for Today's Lifestyle
Moms (and dads)—take heart. Eating a heart-healthy diet that is also family-friendly is easier than you may think: All it takes is a little preparation.
Here are three quick ways that you can incorporate healthy eating into your family’s daily lifestyle, according to Sarah Schmidt, a registered dietitian with expertise in nutrition education and wellness at the Georgia Regents Heart & Cardiovascular Center.
1. Add color to your plate. At every meal, fill half your plate with a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables for maximum health benefits. These can be fresh, frozen, dried or canned—just aim for low sodium and no added sugars. Other easy ways: Grab a piece of fruit for a quick snack as you head out the door, try fresh veggies with hummus or low-fat dressing, or add a handful of roasted vegetables to pizza, pasta or rice.
2. Don’t think diet—think moderation. Variety, after all, is the key to any healthy diet. So if you love donuts, they can still be part of your diet. Just make sure to moderate your portions and read labels. Remember, the goal is to have fewer foods with sodium, saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, added sugars and refined grains, and to include more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products and seafood in our diets.
3. Make it a habit. This can be as simple as changing your shopping patterns. When you go to the grocery store, visit the produce section first and stock up on healthy fresh fruits and vegetables, then continue around the perimeter of the store so you can add lean protein and whole grains.
Need a Diet Rx?
The Georgia Regents Heart & Cardiovascular Center has professional dietitians who can help design a diet plan that works for you. Call (706) 721-2273 (CARE) to schedule an appointment.
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