by Sheila Cain

Created on: February 14, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

In an age of Liposuction, Botox and Bariatric Surgeries,
it's important to know that we can stave off aging simply by the
foods we choose to eat.

We all read about the benefits of foods rich in anti-oxidants,
phytochemicals and foods which contain No Trans Fats. However,
finding out which foods have the quality we seek isn't always
easy.

With heart disease being the leading cause of death in

the United States, if keeping your heart young is your goal,
it's always sound advice to go with foods high in fiber,
low in saturated fats and absolutely no trans fats.

Red meat is a big culprit when it comes to saturated fats.
Rely more on the white meat of turkey and chicken and
be sure to include fish in a balanced diet. Include lots
of fresh vegetables and fruits and cut out refined sugars
whenever possible.

To help keep your heart and your entire cardiovascular
system younger and healthier, it is recommended that
you include these heart healthy foods to your daily
intake:

OLIVE OIL

Olive oil can help reduce your risk of heart related
disease by lowering your LDL (the bad cholesterol) levels.
Use it in your cooking to replace other oils you may
have used in the past.

A great way to get olive oil in your diet is to pour
a small amount in a bowl and add a few of your favorite
seasonings like oregano, perhaps a little balsamic vinegar
or even red pepper flakes or chopped garlic.
Whatever combination of herbs and spices
you like. Then dip a nice whole grain bread into
to mix and enjoy! This is also a good trick to use
right before a meal to help you with that feeling of
being full.

OATS

Oats are a rich source of soluble fiber. This fiber
called Beta Glucan helps reduce total cholesterol.
Soluble fiber is also excellent for maintaining the
digestive tract and keeping colon cancer at bay.

Whether you choose a hot oat cereal or a cold
one, be sure and include some fresh fruit. You
can add non-fat milk, a small amount of brown
sugar or honey for sweetening and cinnamon for
taste.

NUTS

Try to stay with Almonds and Walnuts. These nuts
are a good source of Vitamin E and other nutrients
that help lower cholesterol. They are also a good
source of fiber and protein. Make nuts a healthy
part of your snacks.

WHOLE GRAIN BREADS AND PASTAS

Be sure your bread labels read Whole Grain! Just
eating a "brown" wheat bread is not the same. Much
of the fiber has been removed and it loses it's beneficial
qualities.

The same can be said for pastas. Switch to a
pasta made from Whole Grains. These have come
a long way in recent years and add great flavor
and

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