• The leading killer of Americans is heart disease but it’s not out of your control
• Those who are overweight can follow a healthy weight loss plan and everyone can abide by a healthy heart diet menu
• Remember to watch your sodium, trans fat and saturated fats intake. These are the primary culprits in your cholesterol level
• It’s also important to consult your doctor as he or she should be your primary source of information
• If you are looking to lose weight, CLA supplements can help.

Everyone knows that the leading killer of Americans is heart disease. What we don’t understand as a nation is that much of this heart disease is within our control to avoid. We are so attached to our fast food and huge portions that the thought of eating a healthier diet scares us. What we should be afraid of is heart disease. By following a heart healthy diet plan and a balanced diet menu we can still enjoy our food and save our lives at the same time. Overweight people should follow a healthy weight loss plan that does not put too much stress on your heart like many diets do. There is even room for quick healthy snacks that are also heart healthy snacks.

To create and follow your Healthy heart diet menu for every day you just need to do a little research. It is not difficult or complicated to create a heart healthy diet plan. A lot of a heart healthy plan is common sense with a few important changes and considerations. Basically all diet plans suggest that you stop eating junk food from fast foods and include more vegetables and fruits in your healthy heart diet menu.

Sodium intake is one of the most important elements of a balanced diet menu. The recommendation from the American Heart Association is to have not more than 2300 milligrams a day. That is the equivalent of a teaspoon. Obviously, you should shy away from the table salt. If you like some seasoning on your food there are many sodium free alternatives to salt. However, keep in mind that most of your daily intake of salt comes from the food you eat, not table salt. Avoid eating meals that are processed. Processed food usually has a huge amount of salt and overall is not very good for your health. Quick healthy snacks should be sodium free. There are plenty of heart healthy snacks that you can incorporate in to your heart healthy diet plan. Snacks are OK if they are kept to a reasonable amount and are considered heart healthy snacks. Don’t be tempted when you are in a hurry, keep on hand several quick healthy snacks.

Trans fats and saturated fats should be limited or cut out completely. A balanced diet menu must have very little of these dangerous fats. These fats are the primary culprit in your cholesterol level. Use low fat butter or other alternatives in your heart healthy diet menu. Be careful however when eating foods that have the label that claims low fat. It is essential that you start checking the labels on your food. Just because a product says it is low in fat does not mean that it has no fat at all or even a decrease in fat that is effective.

These are just a few tips when beginning your heart healthy diet menu. To achieve a complete heart healthy diet plan it is important that you not only do your own research, but consult your doctor as well. Your doctor should be your primary source of information when planning your menu. He knows all the details of your heart health and will have the knowledge and experience to ensure your heart stays healthy. Do not rely on too much information from the internet. It can be a good source but should not be your only source.

If you are overweight and looking to lose weight, look no further than CLA which can help you lose the weight you want and help as an antioxidant.

Heart Disease Nutrition21 Dec 2008