February is when we celebrate National Heart Awareness Month which helps raise awareness of heart disease. According to the Center for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The most common type of heart disease is coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack.

High cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and secondhand smoke are also risk factors associated with heart disease.

There are some things you can change in your diet to keep your heart healthy. Read the nutrition labels and make your food selections based on the following:

• Select fat-free, 1% fat and low-fat dairy products
• Choose heart-healthy fats over saturated fats and trans fats
• Cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars.
• Purchase and consume foods lower in sodium/salt
• Limit foods that are high in dietary cholesterol. Try to eat less than 300 mg of cholesterol each day.
• Choose more whole grains, legumes, fresh produce and low fat dairy products
• Choose lean meat and poultry
• Include fish in your diet
• Watch your portion control at all meals
• Become physically active for 30 to 60 minutes a day
• Stop smoking
• Drink alcohol in moderation