It’s important to make sure that you are doing everything you can to protect your heart. Eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to do that. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best heart-healthy foods that you should be eating. These foods are packed with nutrients that are good for your heart, and they taste great too! So read on to learn more about them.
Best Heart-Healthy Foods
WALNUTS
Walnuts are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help reduce inflammation and keep your heart healthy. They also contain a lot of fibre and antioxidants, which can protect your heart from damage caused by free radicals. Walnuts are a very versatile food that you can put in oatmeal, salads, or even bake with for an extra tasty treat!
BLACK BEANS
Black beans are another great source of polyunsaturated fats that reduce inflammation and improve your blood vessels’ ability to flex properly. In addition, they contain a ton of fibre and various vitamins and minerals that promote good cardiovascular health. A fun fact about black beans is that they have more antioxidants than blueberries!
EGGS
Eggs are an excellent source of protein, which is good for maintaining healthy muscles. They also contain nutrients that increase blood flow to the heart, such as vitamin B12 and folate. Additionally, eggs have been shown to decrease cholesterol levels in your body. Eggs are a very versatile food that can be consumed in many different ways. Try scrambling them with vegetables or herbs for a tasty breakfast.
GREEN TEA
Green tea contains catechins, antioxidants that reduce inflammation and protect against damage to your heart caused by free radicals. It is also thought to improve conditions related to your cardiovascular health, including hypertension and artery thickness. Green tea has no calories and tastes great hot or cold. So if you don’t feel like drinking a cup of iced tea one day, try hot green tea instead.
PEANUT BUTTER
Peanut butter is another great source of omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats that help your heart stay healthy. It also contains many nutrients such as vitamin E and magnesium for optimal cardiovascular health. Peanut butter can be added to oatmeal or toast for a delicious start to your morning! It can even be consumed on its own if you’re feeling snacky and want something tasty to munch on.
NUTS AND SEEDS
Nuts and seeds contain lots of healthy unsaturated fats that reduce inflammation and help reduce cholesterol levels in the body. They also contain essential nutrients such as vitamins E and B, selenium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and calcium. Nuts are also high in fibre which can help protect your heart. Try adding them to salads for a crunchy salad topping or baking with them for tasty treats.
POMEGRANATE
Pomegranate is rich in antioxidants that reduce inflammation in the body. It also contains soluble fibre that has been shown to lower cholesterol levels. You can enjoy pomegranates fresh or blended into smoothies. They’re not only good for you but they taste great too! And if you don’t feel like eating it by itself, try sprinkling some of its seeds onto your breakfast cereal or oatmeal!
OATS
Oats contain soluble fibre that can help lower cholesterol levels in the body. They are also a very good source of manganese, selenium, magnesium, zinc, and iron for your heart’s health. Oats can be enjoyed by themselves or added to smoothies for an extra boost of nutrients! Try sprinkling them on top of yoghurt with fresh fruit for a delicious parfait.
BROCCOLI
Broccoli is another great vegetable to add to your diet. It is high in vitamin K which plays an important role in cardiovascular health by regulating blood clotting. Broccoli has been shown to reduce inflammation throughout the body and decrease arterial plaque buildup. Broccoli tastes great raw served with dip and combined with other vegetables like carrots or cauliflower to make a healthy side dish.
VEGETABLE SOUP
Soups are another great way to get more veggies into your diet. Vegetable soup is full of vegetables high in vitamin K like broccoli and spinach which promote cardiovascular health. They also contain heart-healthy potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium. The fibre found in the vegetables serves as an additional preventative measure against heart disease by keeping cholesterol levels low. When making vegetable soup at home it’s important to try and avoid adding extra calories via butter or oil that isn’t necessary for the cooking process. Try sauteing your veggies on their own with just some water instead! Once they’re soft you can put them into a pot with some low-sodium vegetable broth and simmer them until they’re tender.
ORANGE
Oranges contain the antioxidant hesperidin which has been shown to reduce inflammation in blood vessels which can help protect your cardiovascular system. They are also a good source of fibre, vitamin C, potassium, folate, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus for heart health. Eating just one orange per day provides you with almost half of your daily intake of vitamin C. Oranges taste great on their own but if you want something more filling try adding slices to smoothies or oatmeal for added flavour and nutrients.
GREEN BEANS
Green beans are another healthy choice when it comes to vegetables thanks to their high amounts of vitamin K like broccoli and spinach. They are low in calories and contain vitamin C, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, and fibre. Green beans taste great eaten on their own as a snack or combined with other veggies for a delicious veggie dish!
HIGH-FIBER CARROTS
Did you know carrots are high in fibre? They can help protect your heart by regulating cholesterol levels. High-fibre foods like carrots help promote bowel health and provide satiety to prevent overeating. Carrots also work well in both sweet and savoury dishes such as soups and stews or salads and stir-fry.
APPLE WITH PEANUT BUTTER
Apples paired with peanut butter make a delicious afternoon snack that is packed with nutrients! Apples are high in dietary fibre, vitamin C, and potassium. Peanut butter is also a good source of healthy fat that can provide satiety to prevent overeating. It’s healthier than your average jelly sandwich because it contains lower sugar content.
HIGH-FIBER BANANA
Bananas are another fruit loaded with dietary fibre that promotes cardiovascular health by regulating cholesterol levels. Bananas are rich in potassium which is important for healthy nerve function and muscular contraction like a heartbeat. This makes bananas a good choice for preventing cardiovascular disease. They are also high in vitamin C, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, and fibre which promotes bowel health and prevents overeating.
Eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to protect your heart. Here, we have discussed some of the best heart-healthy foods that you should be eating. These foods are packed with nutrients that are good for your heart, and they taste great too! Get started incorporating these foods into your life. Which of these heart-healthy foods are your favourites? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading!