For years, our traditional American diet has been high in meat and animal fat. Even today, folks feel they are not eating if there is no steak or chicken leg on their plate. The reality is that folks are not lacking the ingredients of a burger, many are however lacking in vegetables, fruits and grains and the nutrients these provide.
This imbalance in many people’s diet has been cause for concern as heart disease has been at the top of the list of human killer for years on end. In order to improve the condition of the heart, necessary changes must be made in one’s life style, including in the diet.
When they discover that they have heart issues, many react in one of two ways. There are those who take no action and hope for the best. Others fall into the other extreme. They become so rattled by the news that they try to change everything in their life in order to address their new found problem. In their great panic, they try to make all the necessary adjustments in diet and exercise all at once, taking all the stability out of their life. Changing everything is not always in one’s best interest. Or even if this is the case, gradual change can ease the shock of drastic changes as well as making the adjustments more manageable.
So, once you find out that you are having heart trouble, rather than trying to make all theadjustments at once, go ahead and try to implement gradual change. In fact, see if you can make one change at at a time. Once that change is well established in your diet, then start with other changes.
You will be surprised to see how small changes will encourage you to implement changes that are greater and greater. Start gradually, and see how many of these changes can be incorporated into your daily diet within 3 – 6 months.
Discover the joy of cooking more nutritious meals! There are many wonderful recipes in books, online and even in some family recipes that have been handed down over the years. Choose a selection of wholegrain breads instead of white for a change. Eat more rice, pasta and other grains. Legumes such as dried peas and beans make excellent side dishes and great additions to casseroles.
Ensure that your dairy products, including your milk, yogurt and cheese are low in fat. Make chocolate and cake an occasional treat. Rather than having high fats every day, be creative and see what low fat recipes you can come up with. Go ahead and create the same meal you did in the past but exchange the high risk ingredients with healthier alternatives.
Fish is an excellent option for your meals! You can create variety by eating it either fresh or canned. You can prepare it in the oven or out on the grill. You can make it soft or crunch. Go ahead and have some fun with it.
Use small amounts of margarine spreads or olive oils in your recipes instead of butter.Grill, boil, steam, bake or microwave rather than fry.Reduce your salt intake.Drink plenty of water.
Discover the joy of cooking wholesome meals at home.