Avoiding fruits and vegetables

"The most heart-healthy diet is a plant-based diet," Dr. Ostfeld says. That means loading up on fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and protein, and keeping junk food to a minimum. In fact, new federal dietary guidelines recommend that half of each meal should be composed of fruits and vegetables.

Research has found that people who eat more than five servings of fruits and vegetables a day had about 20 percent lower risk of heart disease and stroke than people who ate less than three servings per day.

More from Health.com: 10 best foods for your heart

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