The Healthy Heart Cookbook

Take This to Heart

Heart disease kills nearly 500,000 women in the United States each year -- more than all types of cancer combined --- but most of us underestimate our risk. When asked to name their greatest health threat, just 13 percent of women cited cardiovascular disease, according to a poll by the American Heart Association. Twenty- and 30-somethings were most likely to admit they didn't know their health could be in danger. So, in honor of American Heart Month, consider this your first lesson.

The best ways to protect your heart? Begin with a few simple moves: Get regular exercise, quit smoking, lose weight -- and eat right. "By choosing a diet that's lower in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and salt, and richer in fruits, vegetables and whole grains -- and includes fish, low-fat dairy, and healthy oils -- you can reduce your risk by roughly 20 percent," says Lawrence J. Appel, MD, MPH, a professor of medicine and international health at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions who has studied the link between diet and heart disease.

To help get you started, Ellie Krieger, RD, host of the popular show Healthy Appetite on the Food Network, created the recipes on these pages. "A powerful way to make your diet heart-friendly is to cook at home, where you can control what goes into your food," says Krieger. These delicious recipes, along with a list of healthy kitchen staples, are simple enough for every day, special enough for company, and super-heart-smart. That's good news for you, your doctor -- and your taste buds.