Heart-smart Diet Tips From Senior Living Experts in Phoenix, AZ

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Hopefully, everybody is aware of the fact that the obesity rates in our country have reached an epidemic status. With the increase in the number of people- both young and old- who are obese, continuing to climb, so is the rate of heart disease. It is a heart disease which gives rise to the occurrence of cardiac emergencies like a cardiac arrest or heart attack. The survival rates are quite dismal in this regards. It is important to keep the heart strong which can only happen by keeping heart disease at bay. The two biggest risk factors of heart disease are high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. The best way to manage them is through a heart-healthy diet and regular exercise.

The best senior living option to consider is going for an assisted living facility such as the well-acclaimed Anthem Senior Living in the Phoenix region in Arizona. You can expect for your loved one to receive the best form of senior living in Anthem care and support.

Cause of Obesity- The two leading factors of obesity are a poor diet and lack of exercise. It is only a heart-smart diet that can help you to avoid obesity and other health concerns. So what basically constitutes a heart-smart diet, read on:

Does fat in the diet lead to obesity?

Till about several decades ago, low-fat diets were extremely popular and convenience foods and snack foods promoting themselves as low-fat suddenly dominated the supermarket shelves. Out of all the foods, many were high in sugar that largely went unnoticed. We now know that sugar can be even more dangerous than fat in our daily diet. In recent times, the trend has turned which differentiates between healthy and unhealthy fats. Most nutritionists encourage people to eat a diet rich in healthy fats, which they say are found in things like full-fat milk products, grass-fed beef, avocados, eggs, and olive oil.

The other types of diet that keeps the heart in good shape are DASH diet and Mediterranean-style eating.

The DASH Diet

DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension and was basically created by the National Institutes of Health which promotes maintenance of healthy weight, which helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

A DASH diet is inclusive of:

1. Vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
2. Fat-free or low-fat dairy products
3. Lean protein sources such as poultry, beans, and fish
4. A modest amount of healthy nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts
5. Using olive oil instead of oils high in saturated fat

A few other DASH diet strategies regarding foods that one should avoid are:

1. Limit your daily sodium levels to between 1,500 and 2,300 mg
2. Restrict yourself from having foods high in saturated fat such as processed meat; full-fat dairy; and coconut, palm kernel, and palm oils.

When it comes to eating well and healthy, planning is integral. You can purchase the DASH Diet Action Plan and a range of supporting menu planners at your local bookstore. The best way to achieve good nutrition and wellness is by eating a balanced diet full of smart choices like lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, nuts, legumes, and low-fat dairy choices.

The dining program at Anthem Senior Living has been designed to promote a healthy, well-balanced diet. We have professional chefs who prepare meals for the residents as per their personal tastes and choices. So pay a visit at Anthem Senior Living and decide for yourself whether to choose us or not.