Diet and exercise ads may be all your social media feed is filled with in January, however, resolutions to maintain balance are best for the heart.

Dietitians and the American Heart Association are reminding people to mind their heart health and overcome excuses when it comes to post-holiday dieting.

Ariel Johnston, registered dietitian for The Tasty Balance in St. Louis, said so-called “yo-yo” dieting or crash diets, which are often popular following the holiday season, can be detrimental to heart health.

“A lot of the rhetoric that we hear at this time of year, as far as, like, ‘This is how many pounds people gain during the holidays’ and then, you’re going to start seeing all the advertising for the new diets coming up,” Johnston observed. “Yes, people might lose weight and maybe improve lipid profiles a little bit. But really, they aren’t sustainable.”

Winter weather can be another trigger for increased heart attack risk, with cold temperatures restricting blood flow through already constricted blood vessels. But the research said even in a mild climate, about one-third more heart attack deaths occur in December and January than in June through September.

Johnston advised it is fine to enjoy your favorite foods too, but add something to help keep your food intake balanced and think of creative ways to satisfy your palate.

“Maybe you have your favorite recipe that was handed down from Grandma and want to make that recipe and maybe it’s not the most, quote/unquote, ‘heart healthy,'” Johnston suggested. “You can still have that, but let’s add some greens or salad, or your appetizers, that include some fruits and veggies. You don’t want to deprive yourself of those favorite things.”

The Heart Association also has recipes online to help with healthier substitutions or additions to daily meals. Also on the Heart Association’s Michigan website, you can sign up for “100 Ways in 100 Days,” a series of daily emails to kick-start healthier habits for the new year.