The
AHA Guidelines suggest these are the first steps
in heart-healthy nutrition:
For a list of definitions of fats and cholesterol,
see Cholesterol.
•
Saturated fatty acid and trans fatty acid intake
should be less than 10 percent of calories (less
than 7% if you have heart disease, have had a
heart attack or have high cholesterol).
•
Polyunsaturated fatty acid intake should be 8
to 10 percent of calories.
•
Monounsaturated fatty acids make up the rest of
the total fat intake, about 10 to 15 percent of
total calories.
• Total fat intake should be no more than
30 percent of calories.
•
Cholesterol intake should be less than 300 milligrams
per day.
•
Sodium intake should be no more than 2,400 milligrams
(2.4 grams) per day.
The
Step Diets
In October 2000, the AHA dropped the "Step
I" and "Step II" designations. However,
the revised guidelines retain the principles
of the Step I and Step II diets. They put more emphasis
on foods than on percentages of food components, such
as fat, cholesterol, etc.
We have included them because if you are new
at watching what you eat, the Step Diets give simple
total breakdowns of amounts to use as a goal.
AHA
Scientific Position
The American Heart Association and the National Cholesterol
Education Program developed the Step I and Step II
diets to treat high blood cholesterol, or hypercholesterolemia
(hi"per-ko-les"ter-ol-E'me-ah). The main
aim is to lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol
to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, which
causes heart attack. The guidelines help patients
sets goals for reducing saturated fat and cholesterol
in their diet. At the same time, they promote good
nutrition. The composition of these diets is shown
below.
| |
Recommended
Intake as Percent of
Total Calories |
| Nutrient* |
Step
I Diet |
Step
II Diet |
| Total
Fat |
30%
or less |
30%
or less |
| Saturated |
7
- 10% |
less
than 7% |
| Polyunsaturated |
Up
to 10% |
Up
to 10% |
| Monounsaturated |
Up
to 15% |
Up
to 15% |
| Carbohydrate |
55%
or more |
55%
or more |
| Protein |
Approximately
15% |
Approximately
15% |
| Cholesterol |
Less
than 300 mg per day |
Less
than 200 mg per day |
| Total
Calories |
To
achieve and maintain desired weight |
To
achieve and maintain desired weight |
| *
Calories from alcohol not included. |
What
are recommended amounts of total fat and saturated
fat in grams?
| Calorie
Level |
Total
Fat
(Grams) |
Step
I Diet
Saturated Fatty Acid
(Grams) |
Step
II Diet
Saturated Fatty Acid
(Grams) |
| 1200 |
40
or less |
9
- 13 |
less
than 9 |
| 1500 |
50
or less |
12
- 17 |
less
than 12 |
| 1800 |
60
or less |
14
- 20 |
less
than 14 |
| 2000 |
67
or less |
16
- 22 |
less
than 16 |
| 2200 |
73
or less |
17 - 24 |
less
than 17 |
| 2500
|
83
or less |
19
- 28 |
less
than 19 |
| 3000 |
100
or less |
23
- 33 |
less
than 23 |
|
