DID YOU KNOW:
Heart disease can be hereditary, but there is a lot you can do to help decrease your risk of developing heart disease.
Healthy eating is a key component to decreasing your risk, but it’s about balance. A healthy diet emphasizes the following:
- A wide variety of fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Healthy sources of protein like dried beans, nuts, fish and seafood, low-fat or non-fat dairy, and lean meat and poultry
- Liquid non-tropical vegetable oils
- Minimally processed foods
- Minimizing added sugars
- Foods with little salt and avoiding adding salt
- Limited or no alcohol intake
Eating meals as a family has an impact. Studies have shown that frequent family mealtimes increase self-esteem, promote a sense of well-being, encourage positive social behaviors, and a stronger family relationship. And kids who see their parents eating healthy are more likely to eat healthy too!
Take a “Heart Healthy Selfie”! Post it to social media and tag UAH and show us how you are working to decrease your risk for heart disease.
