Get no more than 300 milligrams of cholesterol each day. Cholesterol, found only in animal products, is most abundant in meat, organ meats, full-fat dairy products, and eggs. The American Heart Association recommends limiting yourself to three or four egg yolks a week, since a single egg yolk contains about 200 mg of cholesterol. Egg whites, on the other hand, are an excellent source of protein and have no cholesterol or fat. That equals approximately 1 and a quarter teaspoons of salt a day, including not only the salt you add to food but salt that occurs naturally in food.
Many doctors say that a healthy limit is two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women.
If you're not a regular drinker, consult your doctor before adding alcohol to your diet. Extra weight can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, all of which make heart disease much more likely. Moreover, normal-weight adults with heart disease can expect to live to age 78, four years longer than obese patients. In endeavoring to control your weight, remember to combine your low-fat eating plan with regular exercise, which is another important measure for preventing heart disease.