Health&Wellness Magazine February 2016 | Page 8

8 & February 2016 | Read this issue and more at www.healthandwellnessmagazine.net | Like us @healthykentucky Heart Healthy Diet Watch what you eat to maintain a good heartbeat By Jamie Lober, Staff Writer When it comes to preventing heart disease, nutrition matters. “Diet is a critical part of preventing heart disease, which remains the No. 1 killer of Americans and is 80 percent preventable,” said Tim Harms, communications director with the American Heart Association (AHA). You need to maintain a balanced diet in which you eat from all four food groups. “Nutrient-rich foods have minerals, protein and other nutrients, but they are also lower in calories and may help you control your weight, cholesterol and blood pressure,” Harms said. “You should emphasize a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat d