Health

New Diet Guidelines for a Healthy Heart

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

January 31, 2002 / 8:40 AM EST / CBS

The American Heart Association says the majority of Americans are overweight: 53 percent are either too heavy or obese, which may explain why cardiovascular disease remains the nation's No. 1 killer.

Registered dietician Martha McKittrick of the Weill Cornell Medical Center says keeping track is so complicated, some of her clients need to bring a calculator to the supermarket.

"The numbers confuse people," she says. "They're looking at labels and numbers and percentages. They don't know what to select."

Guidelines established by the American Heart Association in 1996 call for no more than 30 percent of calories from fat, 7 to 10 percent from saturated fat and 55 to 60 percent of calories from carbohydrates

But as CBS 2's Paul Moniz reports, the American Heart Association revised its dietary guidelines. They are now based on food, not percentages, to simplify your dining experience.

They call for eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, six servings of grain including whole grain, lean meat, fat free and low-fat dairy products and, for the first time, two servings of fish per week.

Studies show omega three fatty acids in tuna and salmon can have beneficial effects on the heart. Since fresh fish is expensive, canned tuna or salmon can be substituted.

Achieving a healthy body weight and walking 30 minutes a day is also recommended.

The Heart Association says the public must be vigilant about controlling portion sizes.

"When you go into a restaurant, consider splitting an entree or an appetizer," says Alice Lichtenstein of the American Heart Association. "Eventually, the restaurants are going to get the message and they may offer two sizes."

One bit of good news: you can eat eggs every day now instead of three times a week. Studies show eggs alone may not contribute to heart disease after all. However you should limit bacon and sausage.