Cut the Calories! (Heart Health)
If you’re trying to improve your heart function by eating healthy, you should be adding lots of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy to your meals. By increasing your intake of these nutritious foods, you can cut calories without feeling hungry. Here are some alternatives to unhealthy foods:
To increase fruits —
Eat a medium apple instead of four shortbread cookies. You’ll save 80 calories.
Eat 1/4 cup of dried apricots instead of a 2-ounce bag of pork rinds. You’ll save 230 calories.
To increase vegetables —
Have a hamburger that’s 3 ounces of meat instead of 6 ounces. Add 1/2-cup serving of carrots and 1/2-cup serving of spinach. You’ll save more
than 200 calories.
Instead of 5 ounces of chicken, have a stir-fry with 2 ounces of chicken and 1 1/2 cups of raw vegetables. Use a small amount of vegetable oil. You’ll save 50 calories.
To increase low-fat or fat-free dairy products —
Have a 1/2-cup serving of low-fat frozen yogurt instead of a 1 1/2-ounce milk chocolate bar. You’ll save about 110 calories.
While these measures may be small, they do add up to big changes when it comes to a healthy heart.
B-man