Heart healthy ways to cook

Posted: 2/26/2015

February is American Heart Month. Cooking healthier is just one way to protect your heart.  Try these tips from Sharon Cox, dietitian at Parkland, next time you make food at home. 

• Eat less processed meats such as hot dogs, salami, sausage and bacon. 
• Buy loin or round cuts of beef or pork. Take off any fat you see before cooking, including removing skin from chicken. 
• Avoid deep frying food in lard and butter. Boil, bake, roast or stir-fry food instead. 
• Use healthier oils, such as olive, canola or peanut oil. 
• Decrease salt when cooking. Choose herbs, spices, garlic, onions, peppers, lemon or lime juice to add flavor to food. 
• Eat foods with healthy Omega -3 fats, including fish, walnuts and flaxseed.   
• Choose low-fat milk and cheese. Use non-fat plain yogurt instead of sour cream. 

To learn more about healthy eating, call 214.266.4000 to make an appointment with a dietitian at a Parkland clinic close to you.