(HealthDay News) -- Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, but you can reduce your risk by eating a heart-healthy diet.
The National Women's Health Information Center offers these suggestions:
- Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods.
- Opt for low-fat or no-fat dairy products.
- Choose lean, healthy proteins, such as chicken or turkey without the skin, fish, nuts and beans.
- Limit your intake of saturated and trans fats, found in many forms of butter, fatty meats, fast food, desserts and creamy condiments such as mayonnaise.
- Reduce cholesterol in your diet, found in organ meats, pork and sausage, and whole-fat dairy products.
- Avoid foods that are high in salt (sodium) and sugar.