{"id":34095,"date":"2022-01-19T13:08:06","date_gmt":"2022-01-19T20:08:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.betternutrition.com\/?p=34095"},"modified":"2022-01-19T13:08:06","modified_gmt":"2022-01-19T20:08:06","slug":"forget-fad-diets-for-a-healthy-heart-focus-on-your-lifestyle-instead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.betternutrition.com\/conditions-and-wellness\/heart-health\/forget-fad-diets-for-a-healthy-heart-focus-on-your-lifestyle-instead\/","title":{"rendered":"Want to Boost Heart Health This Year? Focus on Your Lifestyle Not Your Diet"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eat this, not that \u2013\u00a0follow this diet, not that one. Dietary advice comes from all angles and avenues, and if you\u2019re just trying to eat well for your heart health, all of the dos and don\u2019ts can be overwhelming. But instead of focusing on fad diets and cutting out specific foods or ingredients, experts suggest that it\u2019s time to try a new approach: Overhaul your lifestyle, not just your diet.<\/span><\/p>\n

In November 2021, the American Heart Association (AHA) released its updated dietary recommendations, the first big update since 2006. And with these changes, the AHA is suggesting that you emphasize dietary patterns,\u00a0not individual nutrients or numbers. When you\u2019re working towards better heart health, your overall lifestyle is more important than a single food or food group.<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead of trying to stick with the latest diets, the AHA\u2019s new guidelines suggest focusing on your habits. With easy-to-follow advice and an emphasis on overall healthy choices or changes, here\u2019s what that means for you and your heart health.<\/span><\/p>\n

Building heart-healthy habits is in, dieting is out<\/h2>\n

According to the AHA\u2019s <\/span>2021 Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health<\/span><\/a>, the key to better heart health lies not in any one particular diet, but in your dietary patterns. This new guidance suggests that it\u2019s better to take a look at how you\u2019re eating as a whole rather than singling out foods and nutrients here and there.<\/span><\/p>\n

What, exactly, does that mean? Well, instead of focusing on cutting out \u2013\u00a0or upping your intake of \u2013\u00a0a couple of key foods or nutrients, you should instead try to create an overall healthier lifestyle and approach to your nutrition. Building healthy habits that you can incorporate into every day is the way to go.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, which habits are the best for your heart? The AHA guidelines highlight key features that contribute to a heart-healthy eating plan, including:<\/span><\/p>\n