Maryland Heart Center

About the Heart

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.

Fats, oils and sweets - found at the top of the pyramid, should be eaten sparingly.
The ideal diet, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, also consists of two to three daily servings of dairy products -- milk, yogurt and cheese, and protein -- meat, poultry, fish, dried beans, eggs and nuts.
Three to five daily servings of vegetables, and two to four servings of fruit daily are recommended.
Six to 11 servings of grains (i.e. bread, cereal, rice or pasta) should be eaten each day.

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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