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American Heart Association Diet

December 5th, 2009 Johanna No comments

People should be aware that there are diets that claim to be from the American Heart Association that are not.  The true American Heart Association eating plan gives optional daily servings from various food categories, not specific foods.  It’s a nutritionally adequate eating plan that’s intended for a lifetime of use.  It can help healthy people lose excess weight or maintain a proper body weight, but its goal is not quick weight loss.

The benefits of following The American Heart Association Diet guidelines are many. First, since the primary goal is the prevention of heart attacks and strokes, any person, whether seeking to lose weight or maintain current weight, will improve their cardiac health. Secondly, the plan offers a positive approach to eating healthier. Giving up favorite foods is not mandatory. Eating a variety of foods in moderate portions and applying the guidelines to your overall eating regime over a long period of time is more important.

Besides lowering the risk factors for poor heart health, the plan can lessen your risk of acquiring other health conditions. Since a reduction in body weight is an outcome of the plan, a decreased risk of diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis can result. Similarly, many other conditions related to obesity can be improved upon or avoided by following the guidelines.

Supermarkets have some foods recommended by the AHA, it’s the logo of the red heart with a check mark. These foods contain low saturated fats and cholesterol for healthy people over age two. Moreover, the recommendations can be modified to satisfy the nutrition requirements of the entire family, men, women and children. (Children under age two have special nutritional needs for fats to ensure proper brain development).

The American Heart Association diet suggests people should follow a basic diet low in fat and sodium to reduce their odds for medical conditions like heart disease and strokes. The AHA states that people avoid fad diets and use a simple tailored approach to diet that includes eating well and exercising more.

AHA is a non-profit organization and it’s always good to support such groups. When a group is determined towards the improvement of a good cause and you feel sturdily about what they are doing, back that cause in whatever way you can. Nonprofit groups are always looking for donations of your time and money to help aid them in their mission.