What's the best diet to prevent heart disease/stroke in 40-50 year old women?

South Beach, Weight Watchers, Sugarbusters, what?

I'd say Dr Ornish's Diet. It is the only diet that I know of that has been proven to even reverse heart disease. It includes diet and lifestyle changes. For instance, it is also about managing your stress level. Many drs now recognize that the way we do or don't manage stress is not only important to our emotional and mental health; but to our physical health also. And, of course, exercise.

My mom and I also just began taking a baby aspirin a day, Dr Oz(You, The Owners Manual) says 2 baby aspirins a day. It does so much good for so many things. Source(s): TV specials on various diets on Fit TV.
You, The Owners Manuel (book)

All vegies, get rid of the acid body, get it changed over to alkiline. Acid feeds cancers and all meats contribute to it. Fruits part of the day,Vegies on the other end.
Cut out sweets!
I think much of the answer is to stay away from PROCESSED foods.

I think that's what is causing the early heart disease and diabetes problems in our country.

I look at our ancestors and they ate a lot of 'not so great foods' too - bacon and eggs etc.. but they also worked farms or real 'labor' jobs..

Look at us today and we eat fast food, boxed food that is prepared.. all the preservatives etc..

I am myself going to start growing my own sprouts... the nutrition on these things is outstanding and BETTER than any 'veggie' we can get in the supermarket.. take some time to read this stuff - it's astounding! I figure if they don't taste great - I'll spice it up ;)
http://www.sproutpeople.com/ Much of it is 'geared' toward parrots but they DO eat this themselves - and they have great recipie ideas for how to use it :)