Four Simple Steps Toward a Heart Healthy Diet, From Intermountain Health

During February's Heart Health Awareness Month, dietitians at Intermountain Health are inviting people to make small, but consistent choices to improve their cardiovascular health.

Heart health isn’t about one perfect diet or a single “superfood.” What matters most is overall eating patterns and making small, consistent choices over time. Those everyday habits have a much bigger impact than being perfect.

Heart healthy eating includes choosing healthy fats. Unsaturated fats – like those found in olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocado, and fatty fish- support heart health, while too much saturated fat from processed foods and meats can raise heart disease risk. The right balance can also depend on a person’s labs, medical history, and lifestyle.

There are four key areas for improving heart health:

• Choosing healthy fats
• Getting enough fiber
• Being mindful of sodium intake
• Limiting added sugars

Simple swaps can make a big difference:

• Choosing yogurt, nuts, berries or vegetables instead of processed snacks
• Swapping out sugary drinks for water or unsweetened tea
• Choosing whole grains instead of refined grains
• Cooking with olive oil instead of butter

Working with a registered dietitian can make dietary changes feel more manageable. Dietitians provide personalized nutrition counseling, so instead of a one-size-fits-all plan, they can tailor recommendations to someone’s medical conditions, lab values, medications, culture, preferences, and goals – whether that’s reducing heart disease risk, better blood sugar control, weight loss, or improving overall wellness.

Heart healthy eating doesn’t have to be extreme or restrictive. Personalized guidance can make it feel doable, and every positive choice – no matter how small- supports your health over time.

For more information about consultations with a dietitian visit the nutrition services page at IntermountainHealth.org.