December 2003

New Cookbook Serves Up Heart Healthy Treats
by Carol E. Torgan, Ph.D.

A colorful new little book offered by NIH's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) takes aim at heart disease by serving up a collection of recipes and tips based on years of research, clinical studies, and educational programs.

"These quick and easy recipes, which are based on the science of heart-health, are geared for the whole family. They are reminiscent of the wonderful food you might find on your grandmother's table," says Karen Donato, coordinator of NHLBI's Obesity Education Initiative.

The 145 page book, Keep the Beat, Heart Healthy Recipes, contains recipes such as "Zucchini Lasagna," "Crispy Oven-Fried Chicken," and "Apple Coffee Cake" that are low in calories but high in taste. The recipes are reduced in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, and come complete with detailed nutritional information. A wide range of ethnic cuisines offers a taste for every palate, whether you're looking for appetizers, main dishes, side dishes, breads, or desserts. Even kids will be tempted by updated favorites like "Delicious Oven French Fries" and "Classic Macaroni and Cheese."

"This inexpensive book offers a wide variety of our most frequently requested recipes all in one place," said Janet Kelly, an NHLBI nutrition education specialist. In addition to over 100 recipes, the book contains morsels of useful information such as how to read nutrition labels, what a serving size really is, and simple substitutions that are heart-friendly. It also contains information on how what you eat can help you to control three key risk factors for heart disease: overweight and obesity, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol levels. The tips provide a perfect guide for setting healthy new years' resolutions.

Keep the Beat, Heart Healthy Recipes makes a great gift for the holidays. "Crunchy Pumpkin Pie" and "Garlic Mashed Potatoes" may soon become favorites at your holiday table.

— a report from The NIH Word on Health, December 2003

Keep the Beat, Heart Healthy Recipes can be downloaded free of charge at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/ktb_recipebk/index.htm. Printed copies are available for $4.00 through the Website or from the NHLBI Information Center at P.O. Box 30105, Bethesda, MD 20824-0105, 301-592-8573 or 240-629-3255 (TTY).

To learn more about heart health visit NHLBI online at: www.nhlbi.nih.gov.

For information about how to lose extra pounds or maintain a healthy weight, visit: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/index.htm.

To learn about high blood pressure, visit http://dci.nhlbi.nih.gov/Diseases/Hbp/HBP_WhatIs.html.

To learn about high blood cholesterol, visit www.nhlbi.nih.gov/chd.

To learn about heart health for women, visit http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/index.htm.