Did you know that there are some simple and inexpensive ways to have a healthier diet? It really is easier then a lot of people think and doesn't leave you eating undesired food all the time! Here are some simple tips that can help you live a healthier life...

1. Cooking oils and butters can be VERY unhealthy for you if you are not buying the right kinds. Regular vegetable oils, butter, and margarine are BAD for you! Switch to using Olive Oil and Safflower Oil for cooking! These oils are actually proven to be good for your heart! Look for non-dairy butter that is acutally made from Olive Oil, Soy, Canola, or Flax Seed. It is key that it is NON-HYDROGENATED!!! Anything else is bad for you! Also, look for NO TRANS FATTY ACIDS! I eat a brand calles "Smart Balance". It tastes just as good as traditional butter or margaraine.

2. Eat only WHOLE grain OR stone ground breads and pastas. There is something about the way that white flour is processed that turns it into something bad for your body. I have read that in several places.

3. Of course, eat more fruits and especially vegetables!! Look up recipes on the net to spice them up. You might be suprised at how many ways you can eat veggies!

4. Avoid excessive amounts of sugar which can lead to diabetes and weight gain. Also avoid excessive amounts of salt which cause water retention and lots of other bad things. Using the natural flavoring of spices, fruits, and veggies for cooking can help to add flavor. Lemon is used for a lot of cooking.

5. Stay away from fast food! Cook your own meals or get your food from a restaraunt that does not use overprocessed foods! I cannot stress enough how bad fast food is!

6. Drink more water! Replace your juices and sodas with ice cold water. Eventually you start to get used to drinking water and it makes all of your food taste so much better! It's hard to kick the habit of drinking juice and soda, but I did it and so can you! Now I drink water, naturally flavored water with real fruit juice, and tea. I also drink skim milk and orange juice with no artificial sweetners or preservatives but in smaller amounts. Drinking more water can help brain function, skin elasticity (wrinkles), eyes, sinuses, and hair and nails.

7. Make little baggies of veggies to snack on throughout the day to replace candy and chips!

8. Avoid ground and processed meats like hot dogs, sausage, and bologna. Pork is especially fattening and those types of products are filled with all the fatty parts of the pork. If you really want pork, get the sliced whole pieces or ham sliced from the butcher with the fat trimmed away. You should instead eat lean beef with the fat trimmed off, turkey, and chicken (not fried... unless in Olive or Safflower oil with whole grain flour).

I am sure I will think of more, but I have to get going! Be strong, you won't live forever you know!

Dear AFemaleProdigy:

Your advice is great! In fact, with the wholesome diet advice you've given women may be able to obtain most of the nutrients recommended by experts. However, women with increasingly busy lifestyles and caregiving demands may need supplements to obtain all the nutrients for optimum heart health.

Heart disease is the leading killer of women in the United States! For this reason, many physicians are recommending daily intake of CoEnzyme Q10, Omega-3 Fish Oils, L-arginine, and a multivitamin as all of these play a role in women's heart health.

CardioVance (http://www.cardiovance.com) helps women to improve endothelial dysfunction, maintain normal blood pressure and cholesterol, and promote a healthy cardiovascular system by incorporating Omega-3 Fish Oils, CoEnzyme Q10, L-arginine, Calcium and Vitamin D, and a powerful multivitamin into a convenient daily nutrition pack.?

In addition, the CardioVance website offers numerous educational resources such as an Archive of Women's Heart Health Updates, a monthly Newsletter focusing on Women's Heart Health Issues, an online Library, a special section on Herb-Drug Interactions, and a Community Board where members can post questions to a Cardiovascular Herbalist.

Hope this helps and good luck with a heart-healthy lifestyle!

CardioVance

Why should ground meats be avoided ? You can get ground beef in extra lean and you can also get ground chicken, turkey and pork.