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Who provides diets for heart disease?
The best source of information is a doctor who is trained in nutrition or a qualified dietitian. Reliable dietary information is also provided by organizations such as the American Heart Association, and government programs such as the National High Blood Pressure and the Cholesterol Education programs. The general dietary guidelines from the American Heart Association and National Cholesterol Education Program call for:

• Reducing total fat intake to 30 percent or less of calories consumed, with saturated fats limited to 10 percent or less of the total calories.
• Reducing total cholesterol intake to 300 milligrams (mg) or less a day.
• Reducing calorie intake to achieve and maintain a person's ideal weight.
• Limiting salt intake to 1 gram per 1000 calories consumed, not to exceed 3 grams a day.

A person should exercise caution in resorting to unproved nutrition remedies and nonmedical nutrition therapists. There are no regulations stipulating who can call themselves "nutritionists," and nutrition quackery and fraud thrive in the United States. Be wary of people who call themselves "nutrition counselors" unless they are registered dietitians or are licensed by established professional organizations. Avoid nutrition supplements such as omega 3 fatty acids, megadose vitamins, and large amounts of oat bran and other fiber. Fad diets to control cholesterol, high blood pressure, and weight should also be avoided.

What should I expect of a diet for heart disease?

Specific benefits that a person can expect from diet include:

Improved blood pressure control. In some instances, diet combined with increased exercise are all that is needed to normalize blood pressure.

Lowering of serum cholesterol. Studies have found that diet can lower total blood cholesterol by 20 percent or more.

Cold-water fish contain omega 3 fatty acids, which may help lower the risk of a heart attack.

Improved diabetes control. Most Type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes can be treated with diet alone. Diet also is important in treating Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, but insulin is also needed.

Gradual weight loss. By cutting down on total calories, especially from fats, and increasing exercise, a person should be able to lose up to 2 pounds a week until his or her ideal weight is achieved. After that, the weight can be maintained by adopting a prudent low-calorie, low-fat diet.

Gradual weight loss. By cutting down on total calories, especially from fats, and increasing exercise, a person should be able to lose up to 2 pounds a week until his or her ideal weight is achieved. After that, the weight can be maintained by adopting a prudent low-calorie, low-fat diet.

What should be expected of me?

Only you can achieve your dietary goals. Starting with a positive attitude is critical. Many people correlate dietary change with sacrifice — an attitude that is doomed to failure since very few people can (or should) equate eating with self-denial.

Adopting a heart-healthy diet does not mean giving up favorite foods. Instead, it means analyzing your present diet and finding acceptable substitutes for foods that are adding to cardiovascular risk. Common examples include:

• Skim or 1 percent fat milk instead of whole milk.
• Sorbet, sherbert, or ice milk instead of ice cream.
• Baked goods made with margarine or vegetable oils instead of lard, butter, palm, or coconut oils.

• Tomato or vegetable pasta toppings instead of cream or cheese sauces.
• Foods flavored with herbs, spices, lemon, or wine instead of salt, MSG, soy sauce, and other high-sodium flavorings.
• Foods that are baked, broiled, steamed, or poached instead of fried or sauteed with fats.
• Whole-grain cereals and breads instead of highly processed products to increase fiber intake.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables instead of cheese, salted nuts, chips, or other high-fat, high-salt snack foods.
• Trimmed choice (lean) cuts of meat instead of prime or marbled (high-fat) cuts.
• Fish, poultry, or low-fat vegetarian dishes instead of red meats several times a week.
• Dried powdered milk instead of commercial nondairy coffee creamers.
• Water-packed instead of oil-packed tuna. (Rinsing it with cold water reduces salt content.)

These are a few of the dozens of relatively painless ways of changing a person's diet. A dietitian or the local chapter of the American Heart Association can provide additional suggestions along with recipes and sample menus.

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