6 Healthy Foods for the Heart

Changing the way you eat is one of the best ways to improve heart health. By making an active choice to improve your lifestyle, you can see your heart health improve greatly as well. Healthy foods for the heart are anti-inflammatory and loaded with antioxidants to give you all the nutrition you need to stay healthy.

Here are 6 Healthy Foods for the Heart: aka superfoods to incorporate into your diet.

Salmon

Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help decrease the risk of an irregular heartbeat, lower plaque build-up in the arteries and decrease triglycerides, the main type of fat in our bodies. It is recommended by the American Heart Association to eat salmon or other fatty fish at least twice a week.

Sweet Potatoes

Believe it or not, sweet potatoes can be very beneficial for heart health. Potatoes are packed with potassium and fiber, which can help lower blood pressure and risk for heart disease. As long as they are not fried or topped with added sugar, sweet potatoes can be a great food option.

Nuts

You can’t go wrong with nuts. Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, peanuts and macadamia nuts are rich with fiber and vitamin E, which helps lower cholesterol. Don’t be skeptical by the high fat content of nuts, those who eat nuts regularly have been shown to be leaner than those who don’t. Walnuts among other nuts also contain high amount of omega-3 fatty acids.

Green Vegetables

There are many benefits to vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and kale. These vegetables can especially help your heart because of the high amounts of vitamins, minerals and carotenoids, which act as an antioxidant. Including green vegetables into your diet every day not only can improve overall health but give the heart a boost.

Avocado

Avocados are packed with monounsaturated fats that can help lower the risk of heart disease and help control cholesterol levels. This fruit is also rich in antioxidants and potassium, making it a superfood that can be easily incorporated into meals.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is not only practical and affordable, but high in soluble fiber, which can help lower cholesterol. Choose oatmeal or plain oats with no added sugar. Make sure to be especially careful with instant oatmeal, which a lot of times contains added ingredients.

If you are looking to create optimal wellness and need a little guidance on eating the right foods, give our office a call today (425) 686-4498 to learn how we can help.

Sources:

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