February is American Heart Association Month | Physical BALC #70
I think the heart is the only organ that has a month entirely to itself – it’s the only organ that even has a month. So, in honor of February and the heart I have some information from the American Heart Association website reminding us to live right. BTW, heart disease is the number one killer of Americans.
The AHA offers a wealth of advice about how to live a healthy lifestyle and prevent heart disease. Most prominently suggested is the AHA’s diet and exercise plan. The dietary recommendations are based on years of research into heart disease, with the goal of protecting one’s heart health. You can lose weight following this diet if you watch your caloric intake, but that’s only a secondary benefit.
The first key to the diet is knowing how many calories you should consume daily. This number varies based on gender, age and level of physical activity. The diet recommends eating a variety of fruits, vegetables and grains, as well as low-fat or fat-free dairy products. These foods are nutritionally dense, meaning they give your body the vitamins it needs without delivering a lot of calories or fat. Nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables and grains also tend to be high in fiber, which makes you feel full longer and is great for your body. The diet also suggests that people should eat fish at least twice a week for the omega-3 fatty acids.
Limit the amount of trans fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium consumed each day. Minimize junk food, because it is generally high in calories and low in essential nutrients. Read the labels on prepared foods to ensure you do not consume too much fat or excessive calories without a payoff in nutrients. Food is fuel, and if you want to keep your body and heart running their best, you need to feed it good quality foods.
At every Walgreens across the country, you can receive a free blood pressure screening during the month of February.
