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THIS FEBRUARY, CELEBRATE AMERICAN HEART MONTH BY NURTURING YOUR CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH. Prioritize Nutrition In the on-the-go, fast food culture of today, eating meals and snacks packed with empty calories is an easy way to fill your belly. But eating this way day after day is a recipe for disaster where your heart health is concerned. Many convenient food options are packed with excess amounts of fat, salt and sugar and lack the vitamins and minerals your cardiovascular system needs to stay as healthy as possible. Plus, you may need to eat greater amounts of these empty calories to feel full, putting you at risk for obesity. Planning ahead is the wisest strategy to keep yourself from binging on french fries from the local burger joint or candy from your office vending machine. And it doesn't need to take very much time to prepare. When you shop, fill your grocery cart with lots of fruits, lean protein, low-fat dairy products, nuts, vegetables and whole grains that you can use to create a few days' worth of heart-healthy dinners, such as grilled chicken with roasted vegetables or a salad sprinkled with walnuts and drizzled with olive oil. Prepare a few extra servings for each evening's meals, and set the leftover food aside for tomorrow's lunch. Focus on foods high in fiber to help you feel satisfied, and steer clear of items filled with sodium, which may raise blood pressure. Instead, choose options rich in omega-3 fatty acids and nutrients such as lycopene and potassium. Heart Love You HEART DISEASE CAUSES more deaths annually than all types of cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While you can't completely eliminate your risk of developing cardiovascular disease or experiencing heart attack or stroke, you can significantly reduce your likelihood by making key lifestyle habits part of your routine. Helping You toBe a Well One www.huronregional.org/healthlibrary Visit Check out our online Health Library for a wealth of information about heart health and many othertopics. 4 wellone CONNECTION www.huronregional.org