The word 'diet' has been closely associated with weight issues. Diet connotes reducing weight levels to normal. For others, being on a diet means being thin. But being thin is not parallel to being healthy, mind you. Contrary to popular belief, diet simply means the selection of food that affects the bodily conditions or health.



Many believe that choosing the right kind of food is difficult. The amount of time rendered in surveying the food label and its contents may mean a waste of time. Plus, ordering food in a fast food restaurant and eating instant meals are the usual habits of most people today, thus preparing home-cooked food is seldom tasted and savored these days.

Eating for nourishment is the best option there is for a healthy heart. The opulence of food choices prove to be confusing at times. The best way to make a good study on the quality of food is to consult a dietitian or food nutritionist.

What we eat directly affects our physical and mental health. The body is a very transparent material, thus excessive eating will result in obesity while eating nothing will make the body deteriorate. Various studies have been conducted to find out the effects of food to the body.

Research proves that heart diseases rank as the major cause of death today. Heart problems are sometimes hereditary, triggered by lack of consistent exercise program, and an unhealthy food intake. In line with this cardiac disease is the fact that poor diet always comes with the deadly stinger called cholesterol ? one of the main factors of heart diseases.

Contrary to popular knowledge, the heart needs the cholesterol in our body. However, the accumulation of excessive cholesterol in the body causes the ailing of the heart. Excessive cholesterol clogs or blocks the arteries of the heart and these heart arteries are responsible for distributing oxygen to various internal organs.

Our bodies contain two cholesterol agents. There is the 'good' cholesterol, which is the high-density lipoprotein (HDL,) that helps in filtering the blood. Good cholesterol is found in green and leafy vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. While the 'bad' cholesterol, which is the low-density lipoprotein (LDL,) causes the accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries of the heart. Tropical oils such as palm and coconut oils contain high levels of LDL.

Vegetables, fruits, whole foods, low-fat foods, and nonfat foods are the highly recommended food selection in maintaining a healthy heart. Vegetables are good sources of healthy nutrients. Fruits included in the heart diet helps in the production of more good cholesterol. Soy-based foods are found to contain healthy supplements, too.

Excessive fats and too much salt or sodium should be avoided because fats and sodium cause the increase of bad cholesterol. Spices and herbs are better replacements for salt in adding flavor to the food. Meat, pork, chicken (with skin), and precooked foods contain too much saturated fat so unsaturated fat instead of saturated fat is better for the heart. But not all fats are to be avoided completely. A moderation in the amount of foods with high fat content is permitted.

Health experts can better provide a more detailed insight of the amount of calories and fats to consume daily. Daily food requirements vary with each person according to age, gender, and genetic make up. Professional nutritionists can best help people with mild heart ailments in preventing this dreadful disease.

The selection of food becomes an spontaneous activity for us. Nobody has eaten any food by accident. Therefore, decisions are made as to the quality of food we take in.

In the long run, a healthy food intake will save our hearts and from diseases. By taking an active participation in nourishing the heart, we can be sure that we will be rewarded with a healthier life. If we are determined in taking good care of our hearts, we will not find choosing the right and nutritious foods a difficult task since our goal is to have a healthy and functional heart.