Join the American Heart Association and pledge to eat healthier on November 2

“I'll start the diet on Monday.” - “I'll do better after the holidays.” - “Once the kids are a little older, I'll eat healthier.”

Sound familiar? Many of us put off eating better and never really dedicate ourselves to making a lasting change. The American Heart Association is hoping to jumpstart your healthy eating habits with National Start Eating Healthy Day on November 2.

So, what does eating healthy really mean? The majority of us don't even know. Recent studies show that more than 90% of us fail to consistently eat a heart-healthy diet. Our poor eating habits mean more of us have risk factors for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and obesity. “The American Heart Association recommends 4-5 servings of fruits and veggies each day, consuming less than 1500 mg of sodium per day, reducing meat intake, and having at least 2 servings per week of legumes-especially soy products,” says Carol Throckmorton, registered/licensed dietitian with the University of Iowa Heart and Vascular Center. “Following these guidelines can dramatically improve the way you feel and the way your heart functions.”

Celebrate the day by making small changes that will have a lasting impact on your heart health:

Download heart-healthy recipes to try this week at heart.org. Eating more fruits and veggies and fewer items high in fat and cholesterol can improve your heart health and allow you to live a longer and healthier life.

Start snacking! “A great way to start making the change to healthier eating is to swap out bad snacks for good ones,” says Throckmorton. “Instead of potato chips, try something with whole grains for a crunch, like low-sodium whole wheat crackers or whole-grain pita crisps with hummus. Or, drop the sweets for fresh fruit or popcorn dusted with cinnamon instead of salt.”

Freshen up. Don't be misled by pre-packaged “diet” foods. Whole, natural foods like fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables offer more nutrients and fewer preservatives and sodium.

Learn more about how you can make yourself, your family and your community heart-healthy at

heart.org.