Heart Healthy on St. Patty's Day

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE)- - The American Heart Association suggests you opt for dark green veggies instead of green beer and corned beef this St. Patrick's Day.

The holiday can wreak havoc on a healthy diet with foods like sugary scones, cookies, and excessive green beer.

This year, the American Heart Association is offering a few tips to keep your celebrations heart-healthy.

Get your green on! Add dark green vegetables to each meal for a boost of vitamins and fiber to help you feel full and energized. Try a spinach and egg white omelet at breakfast, a raw cabbage salad for lunch, and a hearty helping of baked kale chips with your fish for dinner. The American Heart Association recommends you eat at least 4.5 servings of vegetables each day and with green being the theme for St. Patrick's Day - it's the perfect time to start!
 

Stay away from the salt. Traditional treats like corned beef, Sheppard's' pie and thick stews can contain hidden salts far above and beyond the daily limits recommended by the association. Try making your own versions of these heartier fares and substituting spices and herbs to add flavor instead of blood pressure-rising salts.
 

Just a sip. If alcohol will play a role in your festivities, limit your intake to one drink. With increased intake of alcohol, there are increased health dangers including high blood pressure, obesity and stroke.
 

Butt out. Unfortunately, many of Indiana's bars are not smoke-free, plus you'll undoubtedly see many a-typical smokers outside on St. Patrick's Day. Smoking "only when you drink," is still enough to increase your risk for heart disease and stroke.
 

Running of the green. Get active this St. Patrick's Day with a walk around the neighborhood, quick run at the gym or family game of basketball. You'll enjoy our warming weather and reduce your risk for cardiovascular diseases. Research has shown that for every hour of vigorous exercise, life expectancy increases by two hours.
 

Fruited Cabbage Salad
½ medium head cabbage, shredded
2 medium bananas, sliced
½ cup fat free mayonnaise-type salad dressing
1 Tbs. sugar
3 Tbs. skim milk
Combine dressing, sugar and milk. Pour over cabbage and stir. Chill. Just before serving, slice bananas and stir into cabbage. Serves 8.