Nutrition Facts – Carbohydrates, Sugars and Cholesterol

Vegetables and fruits are rich in nutrients, low in calories and high in fiber. Diets high in vegetables and fruits meet vitamin, mineral and fiber needs without adding a lot of calories. Diets rich in vegetables and fruits have been shown to lower blood pressure and improve other cardiovascular disease risk factors.

The American Heart Association continues to recommend the following to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease:

o Consume an overall healthy diet

o Aim for a healthy body weight

o Aim for recommended levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides

o Aim for a normal blood pressure and blood glucose level

o Be physically active

o Avoid use of and exposure to tobacco products

o Drink alcohol in moderation

A healthy diet includes:

o Eating a variety of whole (fresh, frozen, or canned) vegetables and fruits

o Eat more deeply colored vegetables and fruit such as spinach, carrots, peaches and berries (they tend to contain higher amounts of vitamins and minerals than others such as potatoes and corn)

o Choose whole fruits over juice most often (whole fruit contains more fiber)

o At least half of your grain intake should come from whole-grain foods

o Reduce intake of beverages and foods with added sugars (primarily to lower total calorie intake and to get enough of the nutrients your body needs)

Recommended servings per day for a healthy person needing 2,000 calories each day includes:

o 6 to 8 servings of grains (at least half of the servings should be whole-grain foods)

o 8 to 10 servings of vegetables and fruits (about