Diet and Nutrition

Face the Fats and Meet the Bad Fats Brothers
Many Americans are confused about fats. Take our crash 'Fats 101' course on fats. Use the 'My Fats Translator' calculator to get calorie and fats recommendations just for you. Learn how you can live fat-sensibly when eating out or cooking at home. Be sure to meet the Bad Fats Brothers, Sat and Trans, and don't let them break your heart.

American Heart Association No-Fad Diet
Are you fed up with fads and want a diet that can provide a lifetime of effective weight control? If so, the No-Fad Diet is the book for you! Lose weight and feel great without taking chances with your health! Learn how to Think Smart, Eat Well, and Move More to stay on track for a lifetime of successful-and safe-personalized weight control.

Delicious Decisions
Delicious Decisions will show you just how much "delicious" and "nutritious" can have in common. Use our Recipe Quick Find to locate dozens of heart-healthy recipes you can make today.

Nutrition Facts
Better food habits can help you be healthier. The American Heart Association recommends that you eat a wide variety of foods daily from all of the basic food groups.

Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations
Here you'll find the latest advice from medical and nutrition experts on the best ways to pattern your diet and lifestyle for long-term benefits for your heart and your health.

Heart-Healthy Grocery Shopping Made Simple
Today is a great day to start a nutrition resolution. Look for foods bearing the American Heart Association's red heart with the white check mark to easily spot heart-healthy foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol.

What is nutritious food and a well-balanced diet?
Nutritious food is one that contains all the essential nutrients - proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. A well balanced diet should contain all these in correct proportions and adequate amounts. Proteins, fats and carbohydrates provide the energy required for various activities. Vitamins and minerals do not supply energy but play an important role in the regulation of several essential metabolic processes in the body.

As people become older, do they need less food?
The energy requirements of a person decrease with increase in age. This is because of a lowered basal metobolic rate and lessened physical activity. There is an 8% reduction per decade from 55-75 yrs.

Is Vegetarian or Non-vegetarian diet better?
For a detailed comparison of vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets and their value

How important is it for the elderly to drink plenty of water?
The elderly do not recognise the need to maintain the volume of water excreted. The fluid intake should be atleast 1.5 - 2 lts per day in a normal elderly person.