Open Pandora’s Box and Talk Heart Health with Dad

Although Heart Health month is almost over, we at BGR! feel like it’s always a good time to talk about health. Especially with family….oh the woes of talking about health with family!

If you’re family is anything like mine, talking about health (particularly generational health), is a touchy subject and something that isn’t openly shared. I used to dread physicians’ new intake forms because inevitably they would ask about my family’s history of chronic diseases and I would come up empty….nada….nothing.

But a few years ago, I decided that it was my responsibility to seek out this information, take notes, and make an effort for our family to have an open dialogue about health, particularly heart health as its something that hits pretty close to home.

And speaking of heart health, Meta and spokesperson Michael Strahan have launched a “Heart 2 Heart” campaign to encourage people across the country to have important health conversations with their loved ones this February and beyond.

As a catalyst for conversation, the “Heart 2 Heart” campaign is providing a first-hand look at how easy it is to have a heart health talk with your loved one through a new video showcasing Michael Strahan’s intimate conversation with his father, Gene – and tips on how to help your loved one jumpstart their heart-healthy routine with Meta. 

And honestly, giving your heart what it needs is pretty easy. The great thing about Meta is that the main ingredient is psyllium fiber which is clinically proven to help lower cholesterol levels.

And while these tips below are for dad, it’s a perfect opportunity to talk heart health with anyone in your life!

1. Go into the conversation with a purpose. Make a few notes beforehand to keep the conversation on track. It’s really easy to venture down a road that both you and your dad may not be completely comfortable discussing.

2. Think about what you want to accomplish. If there’s an actionable goal that you want your dad to set, help him develop a plan to get it done 

3. Watch your tone. People can become really sensitive when you sit them down and tell them about themselves. Make sure that you are approaching the conversation as objectively as possible.

4. Set an example. Leading by example is always compelling, especially with parents. Holding yourself accountable will help you hold your dad accountable.

5. Acknowledge that you hear him. Making small changes can be a big task and what your dad really needs is your support.

6. Help him add more fiber to his diet. It’s scientifically proven that diets high in fiber can lower cholesterol and promote heart health†. Pick up some Meta and add it to smoothies or protein shakes for that extra boost to help ensure your fiber intake is met every day.

7. Watch and share the #Heart2Heart video. I recently had to have a tough heart health conversation with my dad that could inspire your talk.

†Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 7 grams of soluble fiber per day from psyllium husk, as in Metamucil and Meta Health Bars, may reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol. One adult serving of Metamucil Powder has 2.4 grams of this soluble fiber. One Meta Health Bar and one serving of Metamucil Fiber capsules have at least 1.8 grams of this soluble fiber.

I'm a sponsored Meta Influencer, but all opinions are my own. Meta partnered with bloggers, such as me, to get the word out about its great product benefits. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. Meta believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Meta’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

Also in Blog