Protect your heart

Healthy eating

Switch to a heart-protective diet
Aim to eat two/ three portions of fish weekly, at least one of them oily, and include more antioxidant rich fruit and vegetables - currently only 15% of women eat the recommended five or more portions daily. Green vegetables are also rich in folic acid, which helps reduce levels of homocysteine - an amino acid linked with heart disease. Eat more unsaturated fats, particularly monounsaturates (found in olive oil, rapeseed oil, avocados and nuts), which can help lower harmful LDL without affecting beneficial HDL. Choose more beans, pulses, lentils and oats, which contain vital soluble fibre that can help lower blood cholesterol and may help with diabetes control. Cut down on processed food, which is high in salt, to help reduce blood pressure.