By Jejeizahfaye on March 1st, 2010

13 Heart-healthy Tips for The Whole Family

Heart disease begins in childhood. Whether or not your family has a history of heart disease, it’s important to help your children reduce their future risks. You and the hubby could also benefit from a few simple changes in your lifestyle. With the help of these tips, try to make a big difference in your overall healthy by starting today.

Baking, broiling, grilling and boiling are the best ways to cook your meats.
Use nonstick cooking spray to cut down on fat. Or better yet, use olive oil, which can cut heart risk up to forty percent.
Choose lean cuts of meat — sirloin and round are great choices. Don’t forget to trim any visible fat from the meat and drain off any extra fat after cooking.
Eat at least two servings of fish a week. Putting fish in your menu list every week easily prevents heart-related diseases.
Give the salt one less shake over the saucepan or your plate. After all, processed foods are often already high in salt.
Lower your cholesterol content. Limit your own intake of eggs to no more than 3 per week.
Instead of stick margarine or butter, use soft tub margarine instead.
An apple or two a day really does help keeping the doctor away. Even drinking 12 ounces of apple juice lowers risk of a heart attack or stroke in half.
Cut down your kid’s intake of high fat commercial desserts such as cakes, pies or ice cream.
Fiber is a wonderful substitute for fatty food. So, for dinner tonight, why not feed the family some pasta?
Stop smoking!
Exercise! Get the family to lay some sports or sweat it out in the gym. Never forget that you need to exercise three to four days a week for at least 15 minutes at a time.
Get out and have vigorous fun with the pack. Hiking, bicycling or swimming are just a few of the exciting ways to spend time with the family and a great way to keep in shape.