Subway meals certified 'heart-healthy'

Sandwich giant Subway has become the first fast food chain to receive the stamp of approval for offering heart-healthy fare by the American Heart Association.

Sandwich giant Subway has become the first fast food chain to receive the stamp of approval for offering heart-healthy fare by the American Heart Association.

Beef-sandwich

Sandwiches that meet the organization's nutritional criteria for levels of sodium, calories, cholesterol, saturated fat and trans-fats will carry the Heart-Check logo. A complete heart-healthy meal, meanwhile, would substitute chips or cookies plus soda with apple slices and water.

While labels may serve as a guide for consumers on healthy eating, they're not infallible. The Canadian equivalent, for instance -- the Heart and Stroke Foundation's Health Check logo -- has been the subject of scrutiny for appearing on foods like frozen French fries, high-sodium canned soups, microwave popcorn and frozen foods.

Subway sandwiches which qualify as heart healthy are 6-inch in size, on 9-grain wheat bread, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, green peppers and cucumbers, and more importantly, without sauce. They include:

Black forest ham
Oven roasted chicken
Roast beef
Subway Club
Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki
Turkey breast
Turkey breast and black forest ham
Veggie Delite