The American Heart Association Outlines 10 Key Features of Heart-Healthy Eating

The American Heart Association has outlined 10 key characteristics of a heart-healthy diet, after a scientific statement stressed the importance of eating habits rather than individual foods or nutrients.

“We can all benefit from a heart-healthy diet at any stage of life, and it is possible to design one that conforms to personal preferences, lifestyles and cultural customs. It doesn’t have to be complicated, time consuming, expensive or unattractive, ”said Alice Lichtenstein, DSc, FAHA, director of the cardiovascular nutrition team at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at the University. Tufts, in a statement.

Characteristics include balancing food and calorie intake with physical activities; choose foods with little or no salt, healthy sources of high fiber and / or lean protein, liquid non-tropical vegetable oils, minimally processed foods, whole grain foods; eat a wide variety of foods and lots of fruits and vegetables, instead of supplements; limit alcohol consumption; minimize the consumption of drinks and foods containing added sugars; and applying these guidelines, regardless of where food is eaten or prepared.

The statement reflects the latest scientific evidence on the benefits of heart-healthy eating and indicates that a poor-quality diet is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death.

It emphasizes the importance of examining a total food pattern, including the amounts, balance, combinations and variety of foods and drinks consumed on a regular basis.

“You absolutely can adapt heart-healthy eating to different lifestyles, including 1 that incorporates restaurant meals. It can take a bit of planning, however, after the first few times it can become routine, ”Lichtenstein said.

The statement was published in the Association’s journal Circulation.

Reference

New Look at Nutrition Research Identifies 10 Characteristics of Heart-Healthy Eating. EurekAlert. Press release. November 2, 2021. Accessed November 3, 2021. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/933083