The health of your heart begins with you!
Making small, positive lifestyle changes can help make a big difference to your heart health. Here's how you can get started on making a difference today.
Watch your blood pressure
- Be physically active. Try a yoga or Tai Chi DVD.
- Look for products that are salt-free or reduced in sodium – including Becel Salt-Free margarine, which has 0 mg of sodium per 2 tsp (10 g) serving. A healthy diet containing foods high in potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure, a risk factor for stroke and heart disease. Becel Salt-Free Margarine is sodium-free.
- Perk up your food with herbs and spices instead of salt, and remove the salt shaker from the table.
- Limit the amount of take-out food you eat.
Watch your calories
- Choose foods that are lower in fat and calorie content.
- Use calorie-reduced margarine instead of butter. Becel 64% less margarine has 64% less calories (and 67% less fat!) than regular margarine.
- Keep an eye on portion sizes. Serve dinner by the plate rather than family style so that you'll be less tempted to overeat.
- Be active every day. Take a stretch break, sign up for a lunch time fitness class or go for a walk after dinner.
Watch the fats you choose
- Eat less saturated and trans fats.
- Look for foods enhanced with DHA and EPA omega-3 fats, including eggs, milk, yogurt and
Becel Omega3 plus margarine.
- Enjoy salmon, rainbow trout and other fatty fish at least twice a week.
- Walk whenever you can! Get off the bus a few stops early, and take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Go to www.loveyourheart.ca. You'll find more information, tips and recipes for a heart healthier you!