Since 1995, the American Heart Association Heart-Check mark has guided consumers to heart-healthy choices as a first step in creating an overall sensible eating plan, and today, it stands as one of the most trusted and the most recognized nutrition symbols. The Heart-Check mark is a valuable tool in today’s grocery stores, especially since most Americans struggle to eat healthy and make the right food choices. Many eat more calories than they need and consume more than 3000mg sodium per day – twice the 1500mg/day recommended by AHA.
In late 2011, the AHA Heart-Check program expanded to include even more heart-healthy foods, including fish high in omega 3 fatty acids and nuts. “This is big news,” said Maggie Moon, MS, RD, senior nutrition communications manager for Paramount Farms. “Having nuts officially included in AHA’s Heart-Check Program means it’ll be that much easier for people to find heart-smart snacks.” Ms. Moon added, “Americans are seeking healthier options, and this symbol makes that process simpler.”
This is especially relevant today because Americans are snacking more than ever, often using snacks as a way to boost the overall nutrition they get for the day. In fact, 97-percent of Americans are snacking away, representing nearly one out of every four calories.
Almost 90 percent of the fat found in almonds is the healthy unsaturated kind, such as mono- and polyunsaturated fats, the better types that may play a role in cardiovascular wellness. Compare a serving of almonds to other popular snack foods like packaged cookies or nachos, which can be high in both saturated and trans fats, and the choice for healthier snacking is clear.
The US Food and Drug Administration has authorized a qualified health claim related to nuts that states “Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as almonds, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. See nutrition information for fat content.”
