Healthy Eating Tip - Four Power House Foods

There are many foods that we can consume on a regular basis that could possibly help reduce the risk of heart disease by 75 percent or more. Since heart disease is the number 1 killer in women, it would benefit us to try and add more of these foods to our healthy eating life style.

• Almonds: Almonds are packed with fiber and monounsaturated fat as well as vitamin E which are an antioxidant. According to the Food and Drug Administration, 1.5 ounces of almonds per day may be enough to reduce the risk of heart disease.

• Vegetables: Vegetables that are connected with heart health are lycopene-rich tomatoes and leafy greens such as kale or spinach. These foods have powerful antioxidants and soluble and unsoluble fiber. A serving of vegetables is equal to one cup of raw, leafy vegetables; a half a cup of fresh, frozen or canned vegetables; or three fourths cup 100 percent vegetable juice.

• Fruit: It’s important to include a variety of fruits into your daily diet. Bright colored berries are high in polyphenols, citrus fruits are packed with vitamin C, and apples have an antioxidant called quercetin. A serving of fruit is equal to one medium size piece of fruit; a half a cup of fresh, frozen or canned fruit; three fourths cup of 100 percent fruit juice; or one quarter cup dried fruit.

• Garlic: Garlic lowers total cholesterol and blood fat levels which help to prevent clogged arteries