I’m all about a healthy heart. I became more interested in heart health after my doctor told me my bad cholesterol and triglycerides were high a few years ago. After that I started making some changes to my exercise and eating habits that have helped me bring my bad cholesterol and triglycerides back into their normal range. One of the things that I read about and has helped me is a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, protein, whole grains and low fats. I found that these are essential in decreasing the risk of heart disease. I also found the foods to avoid. These are:

1. Fast Foods: Now I love a good burger and if you stick to the burger it’s not so bad. But when you add them to the fries or onion rings and the fast food shakes I used to drink, it’s so easy to understand why you want to avoid them. It’s because they contain high levels of saturated fats and trans fats. Trans fats are the worst because they contain hydrogenated oils. Moreover, these fats have been found to lower the HDL (good cholesterol) in the body. 2. Oils: Today I use pure olive oil for my salads and cook with canola oil. Both of these have substantial heart-healthy benefits. But their counterparts – coconut and corn oil, are full of saturated fats. These oils are utilized in most fast food restaurants and many people use them for home cooking. Coconut and corn oil are best avoided as they increase the risk of heart disease. 3. Dairy: Before we start I want to tell you I love milk products. My father was from Wisconsin so I grew up drinking lots of milk and eating lots of cheese and sausage. The problem is that saturated fats increase the LDL (bad cholesterol) levels. Whole milk as well as other whole dairy products contain these saturated fats and have the same effect. In lieu of whole dairy products use 1% milk, skim milk, and low-fat dairy products. These help you to avoid high cholesterol levels and the accompanying increased risk of heart disease. 4. Meats: You know an interested thing has happened during this new economy, a well-known fast food restaurant (name begins with an M) has increased its profits substantially. That’s because people are taking advantage of those low cost meals. The problem with meats such as hamburger, bacon, and packaged or deli meats is that they contain high amounts of saturated fats. Just substituting these meats with chicken burgers, turkey burgers, turkey sausage, and other lean meat products can make all the difference in reducing your cholesterol level and your risk of heart disease. 5. Trans Fats: We already talked about this a little above. This is probably the most serious offender as regards to cholesterol and heart disease. In fact, efforts are under way by many manufacturers to completely eliminate this fat from their baked goods. However, not everyone is following this lead and it makes it necessary for you to check the label before you purchase products like cookies, cakes, butter, and other food products that contain some form of fat content. So there you have it, 5 foods to avoid for a healthy heart. Start eating right today and you’ll add more life to your years! If you want to lose weight and get fit I have a FREE e-Course.