Dietary guidelines for the prevention of
heart disease include:
- Limit your intake of fat to 30% of your total calories.
- 10% to 15% of your total calories should be in the form of monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil, canola oil and peanut oil.
- Consume only unsaturated fats that are low in cholesterol.
- Consume less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol a day.
- Consume less than 3,000 mg of salt per day. Consume less than 2,000 mg of salt per day if you have high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease or congestive heart failure.
- Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Avoid red meat.
- Avoid fad diets.
- Talk to your doctor about B vitamin supplements.
- Consume more fiber. Sources include:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Bran
- Barley
- Oats
- Legumes
- Whole grains
- Brown rice
