As the National Heart Month ends, let us continue to be heart smart throughout the remainder of the year. Most heart related illnesses are because of eating improperly. By changing your diet, you can reduce the probability of suffering from heart attacks and strokes. Just switching a few food items in the diet like margarine to butter, whole milk to reduced fat milk can make a significant difference in the chances of elevating your cholesterol. If you really need to fry chicken or seafood, use canola oil instead of vegetable oil. Coffee drinkers use half-and-half as a replacement for of nondairy creamer.
Of course, no one wants to focus on diet; we want to eat without the guilt. Looking at the health statistics of the risks we all ignore and live life to the fullest by indulging until the doctors says the blood pressure or cholesterol is high, borderline diabetes, or other conditions that shakes us back to reality. Unfortunately, these bad habits start at an earlier age. Many youth, more so African-Americans, are suffering from sicknesses that were unheard of a decade ago displayed in a study from National Institute of Health (NIH) in 2011. As parents, we need to lead by example so that our children learn the importance of eating healthy.
The time it takes to stop at a drive thru of a fast food restaurant is fast and very convenient. However, think before you make that choice. Plan your meals. Over time, the preparation of a healthy meal may take as little as fifteen minutes. Sautéed chicken, vegetables, and boiling whole grain pasta is an alternative to a cheeseburger and fries. Baked fish, steamed vegetables, and baked potatoes are another fast delicious meal. Check out this website for 20-minute heart-healthy recipes. Come on, think heart smart now and live life to the healthiest not the fullest by risking the chance of a heart-related disease.
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