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Maryland Heart Center

About the Heart

About the Heart | Overview | Anatomy | Illustrations | Lifestyle Changes | Diet | Components of Food | Caloric Intake | Risks of Inactivity

 

Diet and Cardiovascular Disease

What are the components of an "ideal diet"

Following is an outline created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help us understand the components of an ideal, heart-healthy diet. It is constructed as a pyramid to demonstrate a foundation of grains -- bread, cereal, rice and pasta (which our bodies need the most of) -- with fats, oils and sweets at the the peak of the pyramid, demonstrating our body's need for only limited quantities.

This pyramid is merely a guideline - each individual has different nutritional requirements. Consult your physician or registered dietitian for more specific diet recommendations.


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