Want to Cut Your Risk for Heart Disease? Eat This Way

Did you know the leading cause of death in the United States is heart disease? It claims the lives of an estimated 635,000 people a year. Millions more suffer from heart attacks or are living with heart disease. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Want to cut your risk for heart disease and live longer? New research suggests that there's a simple way to do it. And all you really need is a fork. What you eat makes the biggest difference.

In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers followed about 26,000 women for 12 years, and looked at their eating habits. They found that those who followed the Mediterranean Diet cut their risk for heart disease by about 28 percent.

But that wasn't the only benefit. Researchers also found that eating Mediterranean-style helped reduce inflammation, regulate blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and aid in weight loss.

What's the Mediterranean Diet look like?

Think of the Mediterranean diet as a plant-based diet with room for some fish and lean meats. If you're following the Mediterranean diet, you'll eat lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. The main course may be fish or seafood at least a couple times a week. You'll eat eggs, poultry, cheese and yogurt, but not too much. And if you like to toast dinner with a glass of red wine, go right ahead. What you won't eat or drink much of is desserts and sweets or an excessive amount of alcohol.

Can you make the switch to Mediterranean-style eating? Research suggests it's worth the effort if you want to lower your risk for chronic disease, lose weight, and live longer. And we've made it easy for you to do. Just pick your favorite meals from the Portion Control menu, and we'll do the rest.