Food Labels, Decoded

“Heart Healthy”

What it means: These foods are low in saturated fat, low in cholesterol, and low in sodium, and they have no trans fats. They also contain only three grams or less of fat per serving and have at least 0.6 gram of soluble fiber.

The health implications: Eating heart-healthy foods doesn’t necessarily lower your risk of heart disease, though a diet higher in soluble fiber, which is found in oats, legumes, and some fruits, can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Keep in mind: Many of the heart-healthiest foods (usually found in the produce aisle) have no labels at all.

Bottom line: If you’re at risk for heart disease, these products can help you eat right, but don’t shut out other choices just because they don’t say “heart-healthy.”