Extra fat, especially belly fat, stresses your body, heart and blood vessels. Dietitian Kate Patton, MEd, RD, CSSD, LD, explains how to trim hidden calories from your favorite foods and improve your heart health:
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How many calories should you cut?
Not sure how much to reduce your calorie intake? If you’re ambitious and trim 500 calories a day from your diet, you can lose 1 pound per week. But Ms. Patton says it may be more realistic (and less frustrating) to aim for 200 to 300 fewer calories per day. Then exercise can help you burn off the rest.
Once you reach and stay within the normal weight range for your height, you’ll lower your risks of heart disease, stroke, hypertension and diabetes.
