Cardiovascular Disease and Diet

Following a healthy diet plan:

The following guidelines come from the US Department of Agriculture to help explain the components of an ideal, heart-healthy diet.  A heart-healthy diet is constructed as a pyramid to show that a diet should contain a foundation of grains - bread, cereal, rice, and pasta (which our bodies need the most of) - and little fats, oils, and sweets, which are at the peak of the pyramid.

• Fats, oils, and sweets - found at the top of the pyramid, should be eaten sparingly.
• The ideal diet, according to the US Department of Agriculture / US Department of Health and Human Sciences, also consists of two-three daily servings of dairy products - milk, yogurt, and cheese, and protein - meat, poultry, fish, dried beans, eggs, and nuts.
• Three to five daily servings of vegetables, and two to four servings of fruit daily are recommended.
• Six to 11 servings of grains (i.e. bread, cereal, rice, and pasta) should be eaten each day.

As each individual has different nutritional requirements, it is best to consult your physician or registered dietitian for more specific diet recommendations.