The AHA recently released thirteen steps that the general public and the food industry need to work on to promote better heart health in our country. Heart disease remains public enemy number one in America, killing a half million people every year. Lifestyle plays an enormous role in heart disease, so you can take control and lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Here's how:

1. Know how many calories you need, stick to them, and balance them with calories burned.
2. Learn about portion sizes and cut yours back if necessary.
3. Get your exercise: 30 minutes most days of the week and 2-3 days of strength training.
4. Add colorful fruits and veggies to your diet and reduce processed foods.
5. Eat fish twice a week, especially salmon and other fish rich in omega-3s.
6. Eat (or drink) your dairy, but keep it low-fat.
7. Go lean and eliminate fatty protein, even if that means cutting red meat.
8. Cut fats, especially the trans and saturated kind.
9. Cut sugar, and....
10. Salt
11. Enjoy a glass of wine, but stop there if you're a woman. Men can have two, if necessary.
12. Stick to these guidelines, even when you're eating out.
13. Quit smoking

If this list looks daunting, why not choose just one to start with today? Add another each week, and before you know it, you'll be living a heart-healthy lifestyle and making it look easy!

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