Pre Existing Conditions

Answer 1

One of the easiest ways to protect your heart is to consume less sodium. There are lots of fun, tasty ways to add a little dash to your favorite foods without raising your blood pressure. Here's just a few:

Switch to using a salt replacement, like Mrs. Dash:

This delicious mix of salt-free seasoning tastes so good on everything. Sprinkle some on fresh-cut tomatoes, and eat with cottage cheese and black pepper for a yummy, satisfying treat. Makes a great lunch or snack. Cottage cheese is especially good as a late snack, because it can help you to fall asleep more easily. Mrs. Dash has a full line of salt-free seasonings, including marinades, so you can still enjoy all your favorite meals without worry. Keep a Mrs. Dash handy in the car, for when you're on the go.

Eat out less:

Restaurants are notorious for over-dosing dishes with too much salt and fats, especially in-expensive trans fats. The consumer pays the price, though--over time, eating a diet rich in salts and fats puts incredible strain on the heart, leading to precarious health conditions. If you know you're going to be busy and will be tempted to dine out, plan ahead. Pack your lunch and snacks ahead. Many people carry around their own coolers filled with heart-healthy goodies, like sardines, salads, humus, and whole-grain Sandwiches.

Treat eating out as a treat, and try not to dine out more than two or three times a month if possible. You'll be pleased with how much money you save, too! Remember to ask your waiter to hold the salt on your serving, please. That's what Mrs. Dash is for!

Read the Labels on your favorite foods and drinks:

The print is tiny and hard to see for a reason. Companies want to keep something from you--how much sodium is crammed into that one, innocent little soft drink. Pop and vegetable juices are some of the worst offenders, so if those are things you enjoy, consider switching to carbonated water--make sure to choose one without any sodium--or even make your own vegetable drinks at home. Save money by using frozen vegetables. You could even make an extra large batch every so often, and freeze yourself extras for later.

Many frozen foods have ungodly amounts of sodium, especially pre-prepared meals. Microwavable dinners often contain your entire days worth of sodium--you could easily consume enough sodium for an entire week in a single day, and all by an innocent mistake.

These simple steps go a long way towards protecting your heart. Take care of yourself with good diet and exercise, and you are more likely to have a long, comfortable life. After all, there's a lot to see out there!