According to the American Heart Association, we should all be eating foods that have high amounts of complex carbs and fiber. Most fruits, grains, and vegetables are great sources of dietary fiber, vitamins, and complex carbs. Additionally, these foods are naturally low in fat and have zero cholesterol! What more could you possibly ask for in a food as far as nutrition goes, especially when some of these taste as great as they do?

You’ll find some useful tips on how to make healthy food choices below. Follow this advice and you’ll never be at a shortage for ideas as far as tasty healthy food preparations go.

Use coconut and olives sparingly. Coconuts have large amounts of saturated fat and olives are high in both monounsaturated fat and calories. Too much of either on a regular basis will create a large calorie and fat intake. While it’s said that these are healthy fats, it doesn’t give you a free pass to overdo it.

Grains are great for you, but if you are purchasing already prepared grains, read the label carefully. Cooked grains often have added saturated fat and cholesterol. For example, bread and pasta begin with grains, but egg yolks are usually added. Many grains even have high fructose corn syrup and sugar, adding unnecessary calories for the sake of making them taste just a bit sweeter.

-Sodium is often added to vegetables during the process of canning and preserving. Many people get high blood pressure from high-sodium diets.

Many food companies are beginning to can vegetables with less sodium. If you enjoy the ease of purchasing canned vegetables but are concerned about sodium content, be sure to look for these brands. Better yet, choose fresh or frozen vegetables.

-Nuts and seeds are good for you in moderation, but be careful to control your portions. These foods are usually very high in both calories and fat. The calorie content is still very high although the fat is usually polyunsaturated or monounsaturated.

Soluble fiber has many health benefits, and can easily be found in foods like oat bran, beans, peas, barley, and rice bran. Oatmeal is a great morning food with high fiber. Even apple pulp offers lots of soluble fiber.