Cardiac Rehab Diet Makeover: Breakfast Makeover

Slide show by Leslie Pepper
Photos by Blaine Moats
Food Styling by Dianna Nolin

You don’t have to give up tasty meals if you’ve had a heart attack. Try these simple food swaps for a heart-healthier menu.

Breakfast Makeover

Before: Egg McMuffin, coffee with cream.

After: Egg whites with tomatoes and peppers (cooked with low-fat vegetable cooking spray) with whole wheat English muffin, half-ounce of shredded low-fat cheese, one piece of Canadian bacon, coffee with skim milk.

Lowering saturated fat can help lower cholesterol, which is crucial to reduce the risk of heart disease. Adding fiber promotes a healthy level of cholesterol in the body, says Elisa Zied, M.S., R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.