Nebraska Heart & Restaurant Partnership
Truly, a Heart Healthy Initiative

As a way to educate and give back to the Lincoln community, Nebraska Heart has developed a program that encourages healthier eating as a component to achieving a better lifestyle one which could prevent heart disease later in life.

Launched in February 2010, Nebraska Heart and eight restaurant partners collaborated to create heart healthy menu items that will be featured throughout the spring on each restaurant's menu. Following some general preparation guidelines, the restaurants each developed unique, satisfying and surprisingly healthy dishes that anyone could enjoy. All dishes have been certified heart healthy by Nebraska Heart resident dietitians.

So when you're out to eat at any of the fine restaurants listed here, be sure to check out the heart healthy dish sponsored by Nebraska Heart. Take our word for it, it'll be just as delicious as anything else on the menu, and be healthy to boot. What more could you ask for on a night out?

Preparing a Heart Healthy Meal

It's surprisingly easy to eat a heart healthy diet - there are just a few guidelines that can help you on your way to preventing heart disease. Tips for creating a heart healthy meal at home:

1. Limit unhealthy fats or cholesterol. Acceptable fats or oils include:
• Olive oil
• Canola oil
• Trans-fat free margarine
2. Use a low-fat protein. Options include:
• Skim or one percent milk
• Fat-free or low-fat yogurt or cheese
• Egg whites or egg substitute
• Cold water fish, such as salmon, mackarel or herring
• Skinless poultry
• Legumes and soy products
3. Make vegetables and/or fruits as a side item. Fresh is always better, but frozen or low-sodium canned vegetables and fruits are fine to use as well. Most fruits and vegetables, with the exception of coconut, will aid in maintaining a heart healthy diet.
4. Use whole grains instead of white bread, refined pasta or white rice. Options include:
• Oatmeal
• Whole wheat flour for baking
• 100% whole-grain or whole-wheat bread
• Brown rice instead of white rice
• Whole-grain pasta instead of refined pasta
5. Things to avoid:
• Excessive salt
• Cream-based sauces
• Soy sauce
• Frying or breading
• Sausage or bacon
• Fatty meats
6. Heart healthy drinks:
• Fresh juices with no added sugar
• Skim or one-percent milk
• Red wine
• Hot or iced tea (unsweetened)