Urbana, Ill. – Food choices can improve heart health and help manage conditions like high cholesterol and high blood pressure. While heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Illinois, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 80% of cases are preventable.

Take steps to improve your health with tools and resources to help you make heart-healthy decisions about food choices in a unique, four-part webinar series from University of Illinois Extension dedicated to preventing and managing heart disease.

In each 30-minute class, explore key nutrients for improving heart health, and watch a virtual cooking demonstration showing how to prepare a heart-healthy meal. Participants are invited to stay on afterward for an interactive Q&A session with Extension nutrition and wellness educators.

Registration is required for the free, online series held on Thursdays from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. Register for one or more sessions at go.illinois.edu/healthybeats.

Feb. 18 | Get the Scoop on Sodium
Discover how sodium affects our health, learn how to identify high-sodium foods, and watch presenters prepare an easy recipe that can help you cut back on sodium.

Feb. 25 | Facts on Fats
Fats provide body fuel, help absorb some nutrients, and add flavors to foods. Explore types of fats and their roles in heart health and learn how to adapt recipes to be lower in fat or use more heart-healthy fats.

March 4 | Focus on Fiber
A high-fiber diet promotes heart health, supports a healthy gut microbiome, and reduces the risk for diabetes. Learn about different types of fiber, the best sources of fiber, and simple ways to include more fiber in your meals.

March 11 | Life is Sweet: Eat Smart for Your Heartbeat
Learn how to identify added and natural sugars in your diet, increase knowledge of the nutrition facts label, and gain tips in limiting added sugar to keep your heart beating strong.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Lisa Peterson at lap5981@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.

SOURCES/WRITERS: Susan Glassman and Lisa Peterson, Nutrition and Wellness Educators, University of Illinois Extension

ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.