Last week’s National Wear Red Day’s annual movement encourages all women to take a closer look at cardiovascular risk factors. We hear adopt a healthy heart diet. Why? Because eating healthy is one of the best ways to reduce one’s chances of heart disease. In fact, the AHA food certification program guides you to the best nutrition choices.
First of all, what is the Heart-Check food certification program? The AHA strategy gives consumers a straightforward way to identify which items are building blocks for a heart-healthy diet.
Established in 1995, the American Heart Association and food industry leaders collaborated across the foodscape systems. Why? To create a world of longer, healthier lives through nutrition security for all.
The symbols or heart-check mark makes it easy to spot heart-healthy foods in the grocery store. I never knew of the coordinated effort to help people live longer, healthier lives.
What does the Heart-Check mark certification mean? Everything that gets this validation from the AHA has to meet rigorous standards. The goal to help shoppers find foods that support a heart-healthy diet.
According to the AHA, products with the certification have 92% brand awareness among consumers. And 3 out of 4 consumers are more likely to purchase foods that feature a Heart-Check mark.
How does the certification work? Foods submitted for verification have to meet rigorous standards in the seven categories covered.
Standard requirements include:
♥ Total fat: less than 6.5 grams
◊ Sodium: A limited amount based on the food category
♥ Cholesterol: 20 mg or less
◊ Saturated (bad) fats: 1 gram or less
♥ Trans fat: Less than 0.5 gram
◊ Whole Grain Content: 51% or more
♥ Naturally occurring beneficial nutrients such as 10% or more of Vitamin A, C, Calcium, Iron, Protein, or dietary fibers.
Keep in mind, not all red hearts you see are from the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check mark. According to the AHA website, you’ll instantly know the food’s certification. How? You’ll spot the checkmark inside a red heart.
Many restaurants too adopted similar symbols to help diners manage calories and nutrition choices. Ever notice the AHA symbols? If yes, do tell in the comments section.
As always, thank you for reading. Please continue to follow CDC recommendations by wearing masks, social distancing, and not gathering in large groups.
