“Take Steps Toward Your Health Goals”

When it comes to heart health, it is important to go beyond one’s dietary regime. According to Lauren Smith, Registered Dietitian and Owner of Lauren Smith Nutrition Coaching LLC, other lifestyle factors must be taken into account as well. Ms. Smith noted that “exercise habits, alcohol intake, smoking, stress levels and nutrition all play a role in how the heart functions.” The American Heart Association recommends minutes of moderate physical activity or minutes of vigorous physical activity (or an equal combination thereofon a weekly basis.

The American Heart Association (AHAemphasizes on its website the importance of engaging in physical activity as a potential means to maintain one’s weight, prevent regained pounds after successful weight loss and promote both physical and cardiovascular fitness. If it is difficult to allocate time slots for dedicated exercise sessions, the AHA encourages individuals to explore other methods of incorporating short bouts of activity into their general daily routines such as parking farther away and taking the stairs rather than opting for the elevator. To achieve maximum benefit from physical activity, it is recommended that one spreads out their workouts evenly throughout the week. Smith, a nutrition coach with an impressive , followers on Instagram, provides clients with an amalgam of education and motivational interviewing to assist them with developing behavior change.

With regard to her services, Smith makes it known that they are offered virtually exclusively. Remarking on how she works with clients, Smith stated that she does not prioritize weight in her practice, rather focusing on other clinical markers such as laboratory results, levels of energy, digestion, sleep, and a person’s mental relationship to food. Emphasizing the importance of being proactive when it comes to preventing heart disease through nutrition, Smith noted that a diverse diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and heart healthy fats like omega s, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats is the focus. Moreover, she underscored the necessity of incorporating ample fibre into one’s diet for proper well-being.

Smith stated that fiber can be found in many food items such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts and seeds. He highlighted that berries are a particularly good source of fiber. Additionally, Smith pointed out that consuming fibre is paramount for the heart as it helps lower LDL cholesterol levels and ultimately reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. For individuals who are at high risk for heart disease or already have existing cardiovascular issues, Smith proposed consulting with a registered dietitian in order to create a plan that is tailored specifically to their lifestyle. He detailed that he takes an individual approach with each client in order to craft a plan perfectly suited to those clients’ needs.

Smith suggested that the general population who are at risk or already have cardiovascular problems should be ae of their sodium intake, abstain from saturated fats and completely avoid trans fats. It is never ill-advised to start following a heart-healthy diet as it is, essentially, just a healthy diet in general. He further commented that one should aim for consuming a variety of colors, complex carbohydrates and lean proteins, depending on their individual age, career and schedule.

In order to meet nutrient needs for all ages, it is of paramount importance to incorporate a combination of heart-healthy fats and various lean proteins into one’s diet. Making drastic changes, such as participating in fad diets, likely will not yield lasting results. As such, it is best to set small goals that gradually lead to improved dietary habits. According to Smith, “If the person is not eating any vegetables in their current diet, start by adding only one per day.

Conclusion

To sum it up, Smith’s research strongly suggests that an overall heart-healthy diet is the way to go for individuals of all ages and lifestyles. This diet focuses on limiting processed and fried foods, saturated fats, trans fats and sodium – as these are some of the leading contributors to health problems such as cardiovascular diseases. Instead, Smith recommends replacing these foods with a variety of colors, complex carbohydrates and lean proteins that suit your individual lifestyle needs. So, if you’re looking to make a healthy change in your life, start by following Smith’s suggestions on the diet aspects of heart-health.