DID YOU KNOW…

25% of deaths in the U.S. are attributed to heart disease, making it the leading cause.

50% of Americans have at minimum one risk factor that can lead to this illness, for example, obesity, poor diet, high blood pressure, or lack of physical activity. But you can do a lot to protect your heart and stay healthy by choosing HEART-HEALTHY foods.

The following foods are the foundation of a heart-healthy eating plan.

• Vegetables such as leafy greens (spinach, collard greens, kale, cabbage), broccoli, and carrots
• Fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges, pears, grapes, and prunes
• Whole grains such as plain oatmeal, brown rice, and whole-grain bread or tortillas Fat-free or low-fat dairy foods such as milk, cheese, or yogurt

Protein-rich foods:

• Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, tuna, and trout)
• Lean meats such as 95% lean ground beef or pork tenderloin or skinless chicken or turkey
• Eggs
• Nuts, seeds, and soy products (tofu) Legumes such as kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, and lima beans

Oils and foods high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats:

• Canola, corn, olive, safflower, sesame, sunflower, and soybean oils (not coconut or palm oil)
• Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, and pine nuts
• Nut and seed butters
• Salmon and trout Seeds (sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, or flax)
• Avocados
• Tofu