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 #7: Replace refined grains with whole ones.

Eating too many refined carbohydrates (e.g., white bread, pastries, white pasta) fuels the body’s ability to make triglycerides. What’s more, processed grains are quickly converted to glucose, which raises blood glucose levels and may predispose one to developing type 2 diabetes, a risk factor for developing heart disease. Choose whole grains, such as brown rice, wheat berries and quinoa and whole-wheat pastas, which contain more fiber (which slows down the conversion of starches to glucose) and healthful fats than processed grains.

Next: Step #8: Go fish. »