The Right Grains ( Heart Health )

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The Right Grains

You've heard about low-carbohydrate diets, but bread, grains, and pasta are an important part of any healthy eating plan. Naturally low-fat, low-cholesterol breads and other foods in the grain group are always good choices. You should be eating six to 11 servings from this group each day.

When buying foods from this group, remember to:

Choose whole-grain breads and rolls often. They have more fiber than white breads.

Buy dry cereals; most are low in fat. Limit your intake of high-fat granola, muesli, and oat bran cereals that are made with coconut or coconut oil and nuts. This increases the saturated fat content. Add fat-free milk or 1 percent milk instead of whole or low-fat (2 percent milk) to cut out some of the saturated fat and cholesterol.

Pasta and rice are good to use as entrees, but hold the high-fat sauces (butter, cheese, and cream).

Limit baked goods that are made with lots of saturated fat from butter, eggs, and whole milk. This includes croissants, pastries, muffins, biscuits, butter rolls, and doughnuts. These are also high in cholesterol.

You can incorporate many of your favorite foods — including carbohydrates — into any meal plan. Making the right choices can make a big difference.


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