Celebrate World Heart Day with 'Well Traveled' Healthy Recipes

World Heart Federation and CanolaInfo Team Up to Promote Smart Eating for the Heart

CHICAGO, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the world, accounting for about a third (more than 17 million) of all lost lives. The good news is a healthy lifestyle can save the majority of these lives by preventing heart disease in the first place. In honor of World Heart Day on Sept. 26, 2010, CanolaInfo has joined forces with the World Heart Federation to promote global heart health.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100824/DC54337)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100824/DC54337)

"No matter where you're from, heart disease is preventable 80 percent of the time with good nutrition, exercise and other healthy habits," says Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, attending cardiologist and director of Women and Heart Disease, Heart and Vascular Institute, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City.

Six culinary experts from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Japan, China and India created a World Heart-Smart Recipe Collection for CanolaInfo, supported by the World Heart Federation, which creates a "passport" to nutrition using traditional ethnic flavors and heart-healthy ingredients. Recipes include:  

• United States: Fusilli Pasta with Chile Sauce and Black Bean-Fennel Relish by Carla Hall, finalist on Bravo's "Top Chef" Season 5, Washington, D.C.
• Canada: Grilled Salmon with Dijon-Raspberry Vinaigrette by Mairlyn Smith, cookbook author, Toronto
• Mexico: Shredded Chicken Tostadas with Spicy Tomato Salsa by Alfredo Oropeza, host of "Al Sabor del Chef" and cookbook author, Mexico City
• China: Vegetarian Hot and Sour Soup by Stella Fong, food writer, Billings, Mont.
• Japan: Steamed Snapper with Citrus Sweet and Sour Sauce by Gene Kato, executive chef of Japonais restaurant, Chicago
• India: Marinated Chicken with Cashew-Spinach Sauce by Raghavan Iyer, cookbook author, Minneapolis

Each recipe is made with canola oil, which has the least saturated fat of all cooking oils and is free of trans fat and cholesterol. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a qualified health claim for canola oil on its potential to reduce the risk of heart disease when used in place of saturated fat.

"It's easy to forget that heart disease is not just a problem in one's own country but also around the world," says World Heart Federation Senior Science Officer Kathryn Taubert, Ph.D. "Diet plays a significant role in protecting or predisposing people to heart disease, so we hope to inspire them to eat more healthfully and make simple changes that may reduce their risk of the disease."

For the entire heart-smart recipe collection or more information about canola oil, go to www.canolainfo.org. For heart health tips, go to www.worldheart.org.

The World Heart Federation is dedicated to leading the global fight against heart disease and stroke through a united community of more than 200 member organizations. It works to build global commitment to addressing cardiovascular health at the policy level, generates and exchanges ideas, shares best practices, advances scientific knowledge and promotes knowledge transfer to tackle cardiovascular disease – the world's number one killer.

CanolaInfo is the information source about canola oil for consumers, health professionals, chefs, media, educators – everyone who wants to know more about one of the world's healthiest oils. The CanolaInfo team is supported by Canada's canola growers, crop input suppliers, exporters, processors, food manufacturers and governments.

SOURCE CanolaInfo