10 Steps to Heart Health

By Philip A. Ades, M.D., EatingWell Editors, EatingWell for a Healthy Heart Cookbook (2008)

You can change your fate by simply eating well.

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Step #9: Get nuts.

Research suggests that people who eat nuts—walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, pine nuts and peanuts (which actually are legumes)—two to four days or more per week have a lower incidence of heart disease than people who eat them less. All nuts contain good amounts of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and low levels of saturated fats.

Next: Step #10: Enjoy alcohol in moderation. »