Simple Food Substitutions That Will Help Improve Your Heart's Health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is responsible for one in four deaths in the United States, but doctors say there are fairly simple things you can do to keep your heart healthy.

Here are some suggestions on swaps you can make at mealtime:

• Try whole grains instead of refined carbs. The American Heart Association recommends three servings of whole grains a day. To help with that, consider 100% whole wheat bread, or choose brown rice over white rice.
• Instead of a burger, go with poultry, fish or beans. Burgers are delicious to many people, but so is chicken or a tasty seafood dish.
• Experiment with spices instead of salt. Too much salt can spike your blood pressure, so see what's in your spice rack to get some flavor. It will make your meal taste great, and you won't have to worry about the sodium.
• Have some nuts or fruit instead of chips. When you're taking a look at the snack vending machine, consider taking a break from those salty potato chips and try some nuts instead. They have fiber and heart-healthy unsaturated fat. Fruit is another great substitute for a bag of chips.

Story Credit: http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/life-health/health/simple-food-substitutions-that-will-help-improve-your-hearts-health/711099573