Eating For Health

How many times do you hear people say, “I am watching my carbs.”   Have you ever heard someone say, “I am watching the fat in my diet”?   Probably not.   So much focus on carbs but so little focus on fat in one’s diet.   Since February is heart health month, let’s look at what fats you should be “watching” in your diet.   We need fat in our diets but we also should cut back on saturated fats in our diets.   The Dietary Guidelines offer specific recommendations about saturated fat: Limit calories from saturated fat by consuming an eating pattern low in saturated fats.   Specifically, by consuming less than 10 percent of calories per day from saturated fats.   Why the focus on lowering our saturated fat intake? The Dietary Guidelines and the American Heart Association recommend lowering our saturated fat intake because: The recommendation to limit intake of calories from saturated fats to less than 10 percent per day is a target b...

     What 5 things can you do for heart health?   A recent article on 5 Ways to Protect Your Heart Everyday gave some simple steps to follow:   Eat more fruits and vegetables – Fruits and vegetables are not only loaded with vitamins, minerals but also fiber and antioxidants.   Focus on color – each color has its own unique antioxidants and health benefits.   1 0,000 steps a day – if you haven’t invested in a pedometer than buy a Fitbit or other pedometer.   About 2,000 steps is a mile so 10,000 is about 5 miles give or take depending on your stride.   If 10,000 is too much to start with, then aim to start where you are whether it is 3,000 or 5,000 a day.   The start adding 500 steps a day for a week or two, then add another 500 steps a day until you can get to 10,000 steps a day.   Stop smoking and stay away from second hand smoke .    A handful of nuts – this is one of Dr. Oz’s recommendations and one I...