February is Heart Health Month and a University of Illinois Extension Educator hopes as Valentine's Day rolls around, we consider things we can do for a healthier heart.

According to Caitlin Mellendor, Nutrition Educator at the University of Illinois Extension Office in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties, there are four areas of nutrition to focus on when you discuss heart health and those are fats, sodium, fiber, and added sugars. She says reducing solid fats for liquid fats is better for your heart health.

Sodium has a big impact on your blood pressure. Mellendorf says an increase in sodium and it's impact on blood pressure varies from individual to individual. She encourages giving foods with reduced sodium a try.

Plant foods are going to offer fibers that end up being good for our bodies. Mellendorf points out that added sugars are being found to contribute to higher cholesterol. She says the recommended added sugars from men to women varies and we should watch for those.

A statewide Heart Health Month seminar begins with food demos. Mellendorf says this will be a statewide offering that are 30 minutes - just visit extension.illinois.edu for more information.