Foods such as nuts, grains, fruits, vegetables and oils contain beneficial compounds that include plant sterols, soluble fiber and monounsaturated fats. When these foods are used in a low saturated fat, low cholesterol diet, they can lower your cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. However, no diet will do the trick if portions are too big or without adequate physical exercise and weight control.
Weight control
Weight control for most people will not happen unless reasonable size portions are used in combination with adequate exercise, burning off those calories that are not used your basic needs.
In most people who want to lose weight that means up to 2000 cal/week! While any exercise is better than none, a short walk a couple of times/week is simply not going to do this.
Please read more about heart healthy diets here:
http://www.cardiac-risk-assessment.com/patients/diet
http://www.cardiac-risk-assessment.com/patients/diet/heart-healthy-food
http://www.cardiac-risk-assessment.com/patients/diet/the-dash-diet
http://www.cardiac-risk-assessment.com/patients/diet/diet-after-coronary-artery-bypass-surgery
Diet & Exercise:
http://www.cardiac-risk-assessment.com/heart-disease-treatment/diet-exercise-disease-prevention
Calculate your risks:
http://www.cardiac-risk-assessment.com/app/risk-assessment.php
Hope this helps,
Dr T