cooking for a heart patients

Hi Cass,

There are many different components to gradually implement as you adopt a diet that is both heart healthy and appropriate for a diabetic.

The first step is to eat three well-balanced meals each day with a healthy snack between meals. All meals and snacks should include a source of protein. Protein slows the breakdown of sugar, which promotes stable blood sugar levels. Important from a diabetic standpoint and important to control triglycerides.

Second step is to learn portion control. If you are use to eating full plates of food for each meal, "trick" your mind by switching to smaller plates. You can test how well you know portions with this fun quiz - http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/calculators-193611.html. It's best to measure out what equals a serving at the beginning, so you can learn to "eyeball" a healthy portion.

Third step is to adopt heart healthy cooking habits. You can gain some tips in this post http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/42538/42593/save-flavor.

Fourth step is to incorporate more omega 3 fatty acids into your diet. Here's a link to the top 5 omega 3 sources - http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/42538/32362/3-cholesterol.

Fifth step, replace refined grains with whole grains. Learn more about how the right type of dietary fiber will improve your heart health here - http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/42538/33000/4-cholesterol.

The above steps will get you started on the right track. You can find additional guidance by searching the Health Central site.

All the best,

Lisa Nelson, RD, LN
8 Essential Steps to Lower Cholesterol Naturally