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<p>“As healthy as spinach is for you [rich in vitamin C, potassium, vitamin A] creamed spinach, unfortunately — not so much. Most recipes are made with butter and lots of heavy cream providing more than enough artery clogging saturated fats (around 12 grams per serving).”</p><p><a href="http://kerigansnutrition.com/"><strong>Keri Gans</strong></a>, registered dietician and nutritionist</p>
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<p>“Studies have shown heart benefits from chocolate and nuts; however, combine them with ice cream and whipped cream and you are looking a high-fat and high-calorie disaster. Definitely can be enjoyed once in a blue moon, but not on a regular basis, especially since one serving can provide around 20 grams of saturated fat.”</p><p>Keri Gans</p>
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<p>“French fries are a calorically dense food that most people eat along with fatty, high-sodium dishes like burgers and steaks. Many also dip their French fries in condiments that contain sugar and fatty mayonnaise. Alone, French fries contain three ingredients that make them bad for the heart. First, they contain saturated fat, which increases LDL cholesterol levels. Second, they contain excessive amounts of sodium, which can put a strain on the heart and cause high blood pressure. Third, they contain large amounts of carbohydrates, which when eaten in excess are stored in the body as fat.”</p><p>Tanya Zuckerbrot</p>
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If you want to keep your ticker ticking follow the expert advice above and check out our guide to the foods you should be avoiding.
 

EAT something SWEET
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12. Cherry

These little fruits are tasty and delightful. They’re a great snack and it turns out that they are one of the best foods that cleanse the liver. They are red and they pack a nutritional load.
Along with being great for the liver, cherries also improve eyesight and promote better sleep. The health benefits of cherries are COOL.

Keep in mind the benefits of cherries
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The stems, fruit, leaves and bark of the cherry tree, as well as the gum it exudes, all have medicinal qualities.
This kidney-friendly fruit is a precious source of nutrition that also detoxifies the body. Cherries increase kidney function and are therefore also a diuretic. They expel accumulated urates and urea from our body. As such, cherries are beneficial for those suffering from rheumatism, gout, arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and osteoarthritis. The cherry is also a friend to the liver. Eating cherries can reduce the swelling in a liver that has been enlarged due to excessive medication intake, intoxication or the presences of various diseases, assisting the liver in healing. Over time, cherries can help liver function return to normal, increasing the secretion of bile and strengthening the digestive system. Cherries are also excellent at expelling nicotine from the body. If you suffer from constipation, you should eat plenty of cherries while they're in season. Thanks to an abundance of phosphorus in cherries, they can even help ease a person's nerves. Cherry stem syrup: Syrup made with cherry stems can be used as a diuretic. Boil 60 grams of cherry stems in a liter of water and drink the resulting syrup regularly. Cherry stems make an excellent diuretic and provide relief from edema. As they have few calories, cherries make a good snack for people watching their weight.To treat a cough or cold, boil 15-20 grams of cherry blossoms in a liter of water for about 15 minutes and then drink the infusion. This can also relieve chest congestion. Cherry juice rejuvenatesIf you dab cherry juice onto the wrinkles on your face and neck, they will be rejuvenated and the wrinkles will disappear. Cherries can help delay the signs of aging by supporting good health. They also help protect teeth from decay and make them shiny.What is in a cherry? Cherries contain vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6 and C as well as phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron and protein. Darker cherries have more iron and can be effective in preventing anemia. Cherries are also low in calories. Just like any fruit or vegetable containing vitamin A, cherries effectively promote good eyesight. Consider cherries after a long winter to help you recover from winter fatigue. The sugar in cherries is quickly absorbed by the blood, while the vitamins they provide help build up your body's resilience.


“Canned soups are popular especially in the winter months, because they are warm, hearty, and generally inexpensive. However, they are bad for the heart because they contain excessive amounts of sodium (salt). Excess sodium is unhealthy for the heart because it causes the body to retain water, consequently putting a burden on the blood vessels and heart, leading to high blood pressure and ultimately the possible development of heart disease. According to The American Heart Association, the daily-recommended sodium intake is 1,500 milligrams – or ¾ of a teaspoon per day. Canned soups do come in low-sodium varieties and are labeled accordingly. A canned soup that contains less than 140 milligrams per serving is considered low-sodium food. A low- sodium alternative to canned soups is to make your own broth-based soup with vegetables and lean proteins such as beans and chicken. This kind of soup will be high in fiber and protein and low in salt.”
Tanya Zuckerbrot, registered dietician and creator of the F-Factor Diet.              

Cheesecake               

“Americans may love this dessert, but one piece (one Nutrition Labeling and Education Act serving) contains over 400 calories, 28 grams of fat (43 percent daily value), 12 grams of saturated fat (60 percent daily value), 69 milligrams of cholesterol (23 percent daily value), 548 milligrams of sodium (22 percent daily value), and 27 grams of sugar. All these numbers may seem confusing but all you need to really know is that 20 percent or more of daily value is considered high. Cheesecake is high in all of the above and dangerously high in terms of fat and saturated fat. Eating foods that contain saturated fats raises the level of cholesterol in your blood. High levels of LDL cholesterol in your blood increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Deborah Orlick Levy, registered dietician and Carrington Farms Health and Nutrition Consultan                           

Creamed Spinach      

“As healthy as spinach is for you [rich in vitamin C, potassium, vitamin A] creamed spinach, unfortunately — not so much. Most recipes are made with butter and lots of heavy cream providing more than enough artery clogging saturated fats (around 12 grams per serving).”