DOING ONE SMALL THING TO LOVE YOUR HEART

IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT FOR THE SOUTH ASIAN COMMUNITY

With the risk of death from heart disease at potentially five times that of non-South Asians,

it’s time to create new healthier habits with simple nutrition and lifestyle changes.  

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, South Asians have a three to five fold increased risk of heart attack and death from heart disease compared to other ethnic populations http://www.heartandstroke.ca/southasian. In fact, South Asians have the highest rates of heart disease in the world, and are approximately 10 years younger at the time they develop it. They are also younger than other populations at the time of first hospitalization for heart failure ANOKHI Magazine, Special Insert: Heart and Stroke Foundation; Winter 2009.. The good news is lifestyle changes in diet and exercise may reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as 80 per cent American Heart Association, Journal Report 07/04/2006..

The South Asian diet has many healthy elements as it tends to be rich in vegetables, legumes, lentils and nuts, but the way many dishes are prepared, with ghee, vegetable ghee, full fat dairy and yoghurts, as well as deep fried foods such as samosas, bhaji and pakoras may bear some of the blame for the higher incidence of heart disease in this community.

Becel Heart &Stroke Ride for Heart – Getting Ready

The Becel Heart&Stroke Ride for Heart is on June 7, 2009, in Toronto.  So mark that date as the reason to start NOW doing small things to improve your heart health. You can register at www.rideforheart.ca.

Whether cycling in the Becel Heart&Stroke Ride for Heart or just starting a new healthier, lifestyle routine, the days leading up to June 7th require a commitment to creating a good habit that will have a big impact. Other simple changes can be as easy as taking the stairs at work instead of the elevator, walking more often or making some small changes in your diet.

The New Desi Cook

It’s important for South Asians to remember that making some small changes in your diet can make a big difference. For example, Canada’s Food Guide recommends including a small amount (2 to 3 tbsp) of unsaturated fat each day and choosing soft margarines that are low in saturated and trans fat. Becel margarine is low in saturated fat and has no trans fat.

Making small, heart-healthy changes in your diet can be done one food choice at a time. That can be as easy as substituting Becel margarine for butter, ghee or vegetable ghee more often when cooking or baking. Try using Becel margarine on rotis, chapattis or naan. Take your new and improved dietary regime one step further and opt for tandoori chicken instead of butter chicken, and for dessert enjoy some kheer (rice pudding) or mango puree instead of gulab jamin, barfi or raas malai.

Indian Spice Roasted Chicken with Squash

This recipe uses the wonderful flavours and ingredients of Indian cuisine while allowing you to do one small thing for your heart...with Becel margarine.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Baking Time: 30 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

Nutrition:

Other heart-healthy recipes, training tips and more information on doing One Small Thing can be found at www.loveyourheart.ca.

Becel History of Support for Heart Health

Becel margarine was created in the 1960s as a response to the call from Dutch physicians for a margarine low in saturated fats.  Since that time, Unilever’s focus has been on producing margarines that can be part of a heart healthy diet.

In Canada, Becel has been a longstanding supporter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Becel Heart&Stroke Ride for Heart. The goal is to eliminate heart disease and stroke through the advancement of research and the promotion of healthy living.