February is American Heart Month.

Heart health has been a focus for Caitlin Mellendorf, Nutrition Educator with the University of Illinois Extension in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties, over the last few years. We know heart disease remains the number one killer of Americans on an annual basis.

Mellendorf indicates we want to go for fats that are found in fish or seafood, nuts, and avocados, rather than solid fats in some red meats and things like butter.

While the exact science behind the links between added sugars and high cholesterol is murky, Mellendorf indicates that added sugars can be or are detrimental to overall health.

Additionally, salt and sodium are big players in heart health. According to Mellendorf, while it takes a while, if you commit to a no-sodium or low-sodium diet, your taste buds will adjust.

Finally, fiber is an important component of heart health, and on average, Americans only get about half of their daily recommended servings of fiber.

Mellendorf invites the webinar series she did around 2021 called 'healthy eats for healthy beats' on the Extension's YouTube channel. You can also visit extension.illinois.edu/dmp for upcoming programs Mellendorf is hosting around American Heart Month.