Health Tip: Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet

(HealthDay News) -- Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, but you can reduce your risk by eating a heart-healthy diet.

The National Women's Health Information Center offers these suggestions:

• Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods.

• Opt for low-fat or no-fat dairy products.

• Choose lean, healthy proteins, such as chicken or turkey without the skin, fish, nuts and beans.

• Limit your intake of saturated and trans fats, found in many forms of butter, fatty meats, fast food, desserts and creamy condiments such as mayonnaise.

• Reduce cholesterol in your diet, found in organ meats, pork and sausage, and whole-fat dairy products.

• Avoid foods that are high in salt (sodium) and sugar.