UNHEALTHY EATING FOR JUST FIVE WEEKS CAN BE DETRIMENTAL TO CHOLESTEROL

Heart-Health Just as Important as Waistline During the Holiday Period

ATLANTA (November 20, 2002) -- With eggnog, stuffing with gravy, sweet potato casserole and cheese balls being typical holiday foods, the traditional holiday dinner is enough to make a cardiologist cringe. And with the Thanksgiving to New Year's holiday period about to kick-off, health experts are cautioning consumers to watch their cholesterol as much as they try to watch their waistlines.

A few simple substitutions, such as using soft margarine, reduced-fat milk and egg whites in place of their less healthy counterparts -- all of which are suggestions from the American Heart Association -- can change an entire dinner that's "bad for the arteries" into a heart-healthy, delicious meal. The hidden health benefit from just one traditional holiday meal "makeover" is very significant. For each guest, the margarine substitution alone (in place of butter) could cut out the saturated fat and cholesterol equal to 50 slices of bacon or three cups of half and half. (A margarine containing 60 percent oil, used instead of butter, would save 320 mg of cholesterol and an incredible 58 g of saturated fat per person in a typical Thanksgiving dinner.)

Yet it seems many Americans are not aware that some common sense dietary substitutions can actually improve their cholesterol in a very short time. A new national survey conducted by Market Facts in November shows that 67 percent of consumers are unaware that one of these changes - using just two servings a day of soft margarine in place of butter - can result in dramatic improvement in cholesterol levels after only five weeks.

Research has demonstrated that it takes less than five weeks - the amount of time between Thanksgiving and New Year's - to raise one's cholesterol by eating a diet high in saturated fat. And elevated cholesterol levels are an important risk factor for heart disease.

Dr. Barbara Howard, a renowned heart disease researcher, cautions that people need to be watching their cholesterol levels over the holidays as much as they try to avoid gaining those dreaded five or more pounds. "Don't forget there are five weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's, and that is plenty of time to put on weight and also increase your cholesterol and blood pressure," Howard advises.

Sue Taylor, a home economist and registered dietitian, notes, "Simple changes that are actually hidden from your family are the ideal way to keep the delicious taste while making a huge improvement in heart-health."

The national consumer survey also found that 77 percent of Americans do not know that the signs of heart disease can begin in childhood, a finding that demonstrates a lack of awareness about heart disease and the importance of early intervention. So, while the holidays are a time for family gatherings, good food and celebration, with a few healthy food substitutions they also can be an opportunity to give family and friends a gift from the heart.

The Market Facts survey, conducted Nov. 1 - 3, 2002, is based on a nationally projectable randomized sample of 1000 adults across the United States (age 18 and over). Market Facts is an independent market research firm based in Chicago, and all questions are guaranteed as to objectivity and lack of bias, as well as accuracy within a statistical variance of +/- 3 percent.

The survey was sponsored by the Margarine Awareness Resource Group (MARG) as part of a national effort to raise awareness of the health benefits of margarine, especially over the five-week holiday season, when many Americans overeat and put themselves at increased risk of heart attacks and other illnesses. Visit www.cookingwithmargarine.com for further information.

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