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Good eating habits can help control the three main causes of heart disease and heart attacks: obesity, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol.
The American Heart Association (AHA) does not recommend a single diet, but instead offers these suggestions:
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Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, five or more servings per day |
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Try to eat six or more servings per day of grains, especially whole grains |
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Limit foods that are high in saturated fat, trans-fat and/or cholesterol. These include full-fat milk products, fatty meats, and egg yolks, as well as items that contain tropical oils and partially-hydrogenated vegetable oils. |
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For protein, consume fat-free and low-fat milk products, fish, beans, skinless poultry, and lean meats |
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Choose fats and oils with two grams or less saturated fat per tablespoon. Consider using liquid and tub margarines, canola oil, or olive oil instead of butter. |
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Limit your intake of foods that is high in calories and low in nutrition, like soft drinks and candy |
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Eat less than six grams of salt (2,400 milligrams of sodium) per day |
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Drink alcohol in moderation: no more than one drink a day if you're a woman and no more than two if you're a man |
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Exercise! Walk or do other activities for at least 30 minutes on most days. |
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