I thought that this press release was interesting, in that as low carbers, we eat everything mentioned here except the "oatmeal bars" (most of which have WAY too much sugar to be truly considered healthy, in my mind - but they didn't ask me! )



Feb 19, 2004 10:00 ET

What Foods Are Heart-Healthy?; The Supermarket Is Filled with Heart-Healthy Choices For Busy Lifestyles - Here Are Some of the Best

MODESTO, Calif., Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- It's American Heart Month, and it's the perfect time to consider some new heart-healthy habits. Heart disease is America's No. 1 killer, and everyone can benefit by eating heart- healthfully -- whether they're trying to lower cholesterol, control blood pressure, or just maintain a healthy ticker.


"Heart disease is a prominent consumer health concern, and the food industry has responded to this in many ways," says food trend analyst and "Supermarket Guru(R)" Phil Lempert. "Today's supermarket is full of appealing, convenient heart-healthy foods."


How does a consumer know what's heart-healthy? Lempert says to look on labels for heart-healthy components such as fiber, vegetable protein and monounsaturated fat.


Here are some of the "Guru's" top heart-healthy picks for heart-conscious consumers with busy lifestyles:


Roasted Almonds


"I buy almonds roasted and seasoned to eat as a snack, and blanched and sliced to use in salads and rice dishes," Lempert said. "However you buy them, almonds are tasty, crunchy, heart-healthy and incredibly versatile."


The FDA approved a qualified health claim for almonds and some other nuts in July, which says evidence suggests but does not prove that eating a one and a half-ounce handful of almonds a day may reduce the risk of heart disease. This language is just beginning to appear on almond packaging.


Oatmeal Bars


"Oats are all over the cereal aisle these days -- in hot cereals, cold cereals and many breakfast and snack bars," Lempert said. "To see whether they're high enough in fiber to be heart-healthy, look on the label."


The FDA has said that diets containing 3 grams a day of beta-glucan soluble fiber from whole oats may reduce the risk of heart disease, as long as these diets are low in saturated fat and cholesterol.


Convenient oatmeal choices include single-serving cups that just need hot water, oat-based cereals, and oatmeal and fruit breakfast bars.


Soymilk Smoothies


"Soy products have come such a long way during the past few years, and many people don't realize it," Lempert said. "A lot of them now taste really good. But, if you're looking for heart-healthy benefits, check out the label -- they vary widely in the amount of heart-healthy soy protein they contain." Lempert suggests looking for bottled, soy-enriched smoothies to drink for breakfast or a snack.


The FDA has said that diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that contain 25 grams of soy protein a day may reduce the risk of heart disease.


Broccoli, Strawberries and Apples


"For heart-healthy benefits, look for fruits and vegetables that are high in soluble fiber," Lempert said. The FDA has stated that diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol and rich in fruits and vegetables that contain some types of dietary fiber, particularly soluble fiber, may reduce the risk of heart disease. This claim also applies to grain products that are high in fiber.


Broccoli, strawberries and apples are three choices that are high in soluble fiber. Several types of beans fit the bill, too -- particularly kidney, lima and pinto beans.


Olive Oil


"Olive oil is versatile in both hot and cold dishes, and the range of high-quality choices just keeps expanding," Lempert said. "This is a heart- healthy trend that doesn't appear to be slowing down."


With its heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, olive oil also contains plant sterols. The FDA has stated that eating 1.3 grams a day of plant sterol esters or 3.4 grams a day of plant stanol esters, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. These occur naturally in small quantities from many fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, cereals, legumes and other plant sources such as olive oil. They also supplement some spreads, salad dressings and snack bars.


The Almond Board of California administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. Established in 1950, the Board's charge is to promote the best quality almonds, California's largest tree nut crop. For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit www.AlmondsAreIn.com. For more information on almonds' and other foods' heart-healthy benefits, visit www.PortfolioEatingPlan.com.
Source: Almond Board of California

Cool!

Yep, I eat all that stuff, except for the oatmeal. But, I do eat flaxmeal and wheat bran cereal.

And they say we live on bacon!

Cooking is at once child's play and adult joy.
And cooking done with care is an act of love.
- Craig Claiborne

What about soy milk? All the ones in the supermarket I see have sugar in them.

Brownie

SoySlender has splenda. That's the one I use.