People struggle to eat heart-healthy foods

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- People may know what to add to their diet for heart health, but they still struggle to incorporate it into their diets, a U.S. survey indicates.

The International Food Information Council Functional Foods/Foods for Health Consumer Trending Survey indicates eight out of 10 Americans are aware of the relationship between omega-3s and heart health, but 48 percent of Americans are currently consuming omega-3s.

"Consuming a diet that is low in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol and sodium can help reduce your risk for heart disease," David Grotto says in a statement.

"But that's only one side of the equation. It is also important to choose foods that can promote heart health such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains and fiber."

Other heart-healthy foods are:

-- Nuts, which provide a rich source of protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fat.

-- Monounsaturated fat such as olive, canola, peanut or high oleic safflower oil, or polyunsaturated fat such as sunflower, corn or soybean oil may help promote heart health.

-- Salmon, sardines, herring, trout and tuna are terrific sources of omega-3 fatty acids, as are eggs and some fortified food.

-- Protein from soy sources can also help reduce heart risk.

-- Sterols and stanols found in corn, soy, wheat and some fortified foods like soft table spreads, orange juice and yogurt help block the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine.