Heart Healthy Cooking

Back to School the Heart Healthy Way
Copyrighted information from the American Heart Association Food Certification Program

(NAPS)—Nutritionists say it can be easy for school-aged kids to learn healthy eating habits–all it may take is a little "home work."

Studies have shown that healthy eating habits established early in life tend to remain with people well into their adult years. To help kids enjoy heart-healthy diets, the American Heart Association recommends parents lead by example and pack children's lunch boxes with nutritious low fat, low cholesterol foods like:

  • low or non-fat dairy products, such as skim milk and low fat string cheese;
  • sandwiches made from whole grain breads, lean meats or fish;
  • limit high fat condiments, try low fat substitutes such as mustard instead of mayonnaise;
  • pack fresh fruits and vegetables such as carrots or celery sticks, apples and oranges; and
  • baked pretzels and low-fat yogurt can be a tasty treat.

To help parents choose heart-healthy foods for their children and themselves, the American Heart Association established its Food Certification Program.

The program uses a red heart with a white check mark to indicate foods that meet the American Heart Association's standards. Foods and beverages with the heart-check mark on their labels are low in fat and cholesterol and can be part of a heart-healthy diet for healthy people over age two.

Foods with the heart check mark are:

  • low fat (less than or equal to three grams per serving);
  • low in saturated fat (less than or equal to one gram per serving);
  • low cholesterol (less than or equal to 20 milligrams per serving);
  • have a sodium value of less than or equal to 480 milligrams for individual foods; and
  • contain at least 10 percent of the daily value of one or more of these nutrients: protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron or dietary fiber.

Meats must meet the USDA's standard for extra lean.

For more information on diet and nutrition, visit www.americanheart.org or call the American Heart Association at (800) 242-8721 (AHA-USA1) and ask for a free copy of the Shop Smart With Heart brochure.

For a complete list of certified products, visit www.americanheart.org/foodcertification.