2-Fizzy Drinks. It may come as a surprise that both regular and diet sodas can be harmful to your heart. Regular pop is packed with added sugar about 8 teaspoons per serving. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 6 teaspoons per day for women and 9 for men to prevent obesity, which can lead to heart disease.
And diet soda's a heart no-no too: A recent study found that people who drank a low-cal soda daily had a 61% increased risk of cardiovascular event compared with those who drank none.
Heart-Smart Swap: If you like fizzy beverages, try seltzer with a squeeze of lime or orange. Or, sip unsweetened green or black iced tea you'll get a boost of antioxidants and quench your thirst.
3-Microwave Popcorn. Homemade popcorn is one of my favorite foods. Not only is it a nutritious whole grain, it's also delicious and fun to eat. There is, however, an exception. Much of the microwave popcorn on the market is loaded with trans fats, the sneaky fats that raise your "bad" (LDL) cholesterol and lower your "good" (HDL) cholesterol. One popular brand of microwave popcorn packs as much as 5 grams per serving the American Heart Association recommends limiting your trans fat intake to no more than 2 grams per day. Movie theater popcorn is notoriously heart-unhealthy as well.
Heart-Smart Swap:Make it yourself! Popcorn is easy to make with healthful fats, or no fat at all pop it on the stovetop, in an air popper or even on the microwave. For DIY microwave popcorn: place 1/4 c of kernels into a glass bowl, place the lid on tight and heat until the kernels stop popping (usually about two minutes).
4-Full-Fat Dairy.Dairy foods like yogurt, milk and cheese can all be healthful additions to your diet if you choose the right ones. The grams of saturated fat the type that can raise your "bad" (LDL) cholesterol can add up fast when you choose full-fat dairy. For instance, regular (full-fat) Greek yogurt has 7 grams of saturated fat per serving, while a cup of whole milk has 4.6 grams.
Heart-Smart Swap: Go for nonfat or low-fat dairy choices. You'll get the same bone-building calcium and strengthening protein with little or none of the heart-unhealthy saturated fat. And in most cases you won't even notice the difference.
5-Applesauce.it may seem like a healthy on-the-go snack, but some store bought applesauces subtract one of the most nutritious parts of the fruit the fiber-full skin and add sweeteners and even artificial coloring. Too much sugar and not enough fiber can be a recipe for raising your cholesterol levels (and increasing your risk of diabetes).
Heart-Smart Swap:There are nutritious versions of applesauce out there you just need to know what to shop for. Double-check the label to make sure it reads "natural" or "unsweetened", and scan the ingredient list apples and water should be at the top. For an even healthier version, try making a batch yourself. It's quick, easy and gives you control you can leave the skins on the apples to add fiber, and decide for yourself if it needs any sugar at all (our bet is that it doesn't!).
6-Pretzels.Pretzels usually seem like a healthier alternative to potato or tortilla chips. But that doesn't necessarily mean that they're a heart-smart snack. The two main ingredients of pretzels (white flour and salt) are devoid of nutrients and can put you at risk for high blood pressure and heart disease.
Heart-Smart Swap: If it's a crunch you're craving, try sliced apples, baby carrots or a handful of almonds for a filling and healthy snack.
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Sources
http://www.medhelp.org/heart-disease/slideshows/8-Surprisingly-Bad-Foods-for-Your-Heart/333/1
http://www.medhelp.org/heart-disease/slideshows/8-Surprisingly-Bad-Foods-for-Your-Heart/333/13
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