Tips for Heart Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States, accounting for 29 percent of all U.S. deaths each year. Heart disease encompasses a wide variety of heart conditions, the most common being coronary heart disease or CHD. CHD happens when the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart become hardened and narrowed from plaque buildup. The effects of CHD or any other type of heart disease can be life altering and even deadly. Yet, there is an easy way to lower your heart-disease risk: nutrition. To help prevent the onset of heart disease, follow these easy tips:
Red Wine
Excessive alcohol consumption dramatically raises the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. An occasional glass of red wine, however, may actually be good for the heart. Red wine has been found to have positive effects on heart health. The drink contains antioxidants that help protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart. Moderate drinking, defined as no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women, is the most important thing to remember.
Whole Grains
High cholesterol is one of the biggest factors that lead to heart disease. Whole grain foods such as oats and brown rice have been proven to protect against heart disease by lowering cholesterol. You can increase the amount of whole grains in your diet by making simple substitutions. For example, choose whole-grain breads instead of those made with refined white flour; pick multigrain pasta over regular pasta and brown rice instead of white rice. To add brown rice to your menu without waiting 45 minutes for it to cook, try Success Rice. Success Boil-in-Bag Brown Rice is ready in 10 minutes and offers the same health benefits as conventional brown rice. The fiber found in brown rice will also help you feel full faster, making it easier to manage your weight.
Tasty Nuts
Nuts, which contain unsaturated fatty acids and other nutrients, are good for your heart and are a great snack food, too. They're inexpensive, easy to store and easy to take to work or school. Apart from fiber, nuts also contain vitamin E, which is thought to help stop the development of plaque in your arteries. For a nutrient-packed heart-healthy meal, mix brown rice with walnuts and apples:
Waldorf Brown Rice Salad
1 cup Success Brown Rice, uncooked
3 apples
2 tablespoons lemon juice
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ cup raisins
½ cup fat-free mayonnaise
¾ cup non-fat vanilla yogurt
Salad greens (optional)
Prepare rice according to package directions and cool. Wash, core and dice apples, without peeling. Place apples in large bowl and toss with lemon juice. Add rice, celery, nuts and raisins; toss to combine. In medium bowl, combine mayonnaise and yogurt. Blend well. Fold into rice mixture. Serve over salad greens, if desired. Serves 4.
Red Wine
Excessive alcohol consumption dramatically raises the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. An occasional glass of red wine, however, may actually be good for the heart. Red wine has been found to have positive effects on heart health. The drink contains antioxidants that help protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart. Moderate drinking, defined as no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women, is the most important thing to remember.
Whole Grains
High cholesterol is one of the biggest factors that lead to heart disease. Whole grain foods such as oats and brown rice have been proven to protect against heart disease by lowering cholesterol. You can increase the amount of whole grains in your diet by making simple substitutions. For example, choose whole-grain breads instead of those made with refined white flour; pick multigrain pasta over regular pasta and brown rice instead of white rice. To add brown rice to your menu without waiting 45 minutes for it to cook, try Success Rice. Success Boil-in-Bag Brown Rice is ready in 10 minutes and offers the same health benefits as conventional brown rice. The fiber found in brown rice will also help you feel full faster, making it easier to manage your weight.
Tasty Nuts
Nuts, which contain unsaturated fatty acids and other nutrients, are good for your heart and are a great snack food, too. They're inexpensive, easy to store and easy to take to work or school. Apart from fiber, nuts also contain vitamin E, which is thought to help stop the development of plaque in your arteries. For a nutrient-packed heart-healthy meal, mix brown rice with walnuts and apples:
Waldorf Brown Rice Salad
1 cup Success Brown Rice, uncooked
3 apples
2 tablespoons lemon juice
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ cup raisins
½ cup fat-free mayonnaise
¾ cup non-fat vanilla yogurt
Salad greens (optional)
Prepare rice according to package directions and cool. Wash, core and dice apples, without peeling. Place apples in large bowl and toss with lemon juice. Add rice, celery, nuts and raisins; toss to combine. In medium bowl, combine mayonnaise and yogurt. Blend well. Fold into rice mixture. Serve over salad greens, if desired. Serves 4.
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