(CBS) According to the American Heart Association, more than half a million American women die each year from heart disease.

In many cases, simple lifestyle changes, including eating right, can dramatically cut a woman's risk of suffering from the disease.

Wrapping up the "HeartScore" series, dietician Kathy Isoldi, author of "The Woman's Day Weight-Loss Plan," visited The Early Show with advice for women to eat right at different stages in life.

Isoldi says women need different diet plans according to their ages. She says women experience different obstacles during the different stages of their lives, obstacles that interfere with eating right and taking care of themselves.

For instance, an older woman going through menopause is going through hormonal changes a younger woman is not and these can affect her weight. So it's important when talking about any weight loss regimen to tailor it to the different age groups.

The first category is "The Early Years," which start in the late teens and continue into the mid-20s. It's a time when many women are constantly on the go and have little time to eat right and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Isoldi's tips include:

• Snack Wisely: Many young women are running around all the time and often don't have a chance to eat a proper meal. So they'll snack on something and often it's a bag of potato chips. Isoldi suggests eating healthy snacks, such as fruits and vegetables, instead of processed products.
  
  
• Limit Alcohol Consumption: Isoldi says the bar scene is popular with many young women. It's a chance to socialize and relax after a hard day of work. Unfortunately, those little drinks pack a lot of calories. So be sure to alternate your alcoholic beverages with water. Because what many women don't know is that they can exceed more than 700 calories during happy hour.
  
  
• Exercise Together: Many times, it's hard to find time to exercise. But if you develop a routine that you can do with your partner or close friend, you are more likely to stick with it.

Category two is "The Crowded House Years." This is a time when many women are too busy raising their families to worry about their own health needs.

Isoldi suggests:

• Read Don't Eat: After a stressful day with the kids, some women will be tempted to treat themselves with a bowl of ice cream or other fatty snacks. Instead of doing that, a woman should use the time to read or take a bath. Avoid using food as a treat.
  
  
• Cook In Bulk: This is easier than it sounds, but it can really help. Try to find a time when you can prepare several healthy meals in advance that can be easily frozen. This will reduce the need to run to a fast-food restaurant at the last minute and will allow you to more closely monitor exactly what you and your child are eating.
  
  
• Walk, Don't Sit: This is advice that applies to both stay-at-home moms as well as working mothers. When at your child's activity, instead of just standing on the sidelines, take a walk around the field. And working moms should try to take a few minutes during lunch to take a stroll.

The final category is "The Later Years," which begin before menopause and extend beyond. Isoldi advises these women to continue or start an exercise regimen and find a hobby that involves physical activity. Try the following:

• Pick a Hobby: It's important to keep your mind and body active if you want to maintain a healthy weight. So pick up a hobby that involves getting up and moving around, maybe speed walking at your local mall or swimming. And to ensure that you'll stick with your hobby, have a friend join you.
  
  
• Strength Train: Strength training is not just for young people. In fact, it's very important that seniors do it. Not only can it help maintain a healthy weight, but it can prevent some of the aches and pains that are common. So even while your sitting down in front of the television, use a pair of one-pint water bottles as weights.
  
  
• Eat Regular Meals: This is something that applies to active seniors. When traveling, many seniors tend to eat a big breakfast and a big dinner. Instead try to eat lighter meals and snack on something healthy in between meals.

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