HEART HEALTHY FOODS YOU SHOULD BE EATING REGULARLY

The new year brings thoughts of healthy eating. Many people are looking to make sure they keep their body healthy or get healthier. Especially in heart health.

There are many great heart healthy foods that can help with heart health. Since your heart is the most important muscle in your body, it’s important that you’re feeling it with nutrition that helps keep it strong.

5 HEART HEALTHY FOODS YOU SHOULD BE EATING REGULARLY

SALMON

In addition to being delicious and lending itself to be prepared in a variety of ways, salmon in one of the most heart-friendly seafood’s that you can eat.

Salmon is a great source of protein and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon is an excellent source of B vitamins, potassium and selenium.

By consuming salmon at least twice a week, some research has shown that it may lower your risk of heart disease by as much as 30%.

Salmon is also known to lower triglycerides as well as lower blood pressure.

Here are several easy ways to prepare salmon:

Sheet Pan Ginger Soy Glazed Salmon by Eat Yourself Skinny
Pan-Seared Salmon With Greek Yogurt And Lemon Dill Sauce by Zesty Olive
30 Minute Sweet Thai Chili Salmon Skewers by How Sweet Eats

BERRIES

Berries are a great way to keep your heart healthy. Eating a variety of berries provides your body with polyphenols which are known to increase nitric oxide levels within the body.

Nitric oxide is important because it’s responsible for numerous heart benefits such as relaxing the blood vessels to reduce blood pressure.

Just a daily cup of berries can make a significant improvement in your heart health over time.

Check out these naturally sweet ways to eat berries:

Strawberry Banana Frozen Yogurt by Happy Foods Tube
Blueberry Nectarine Pie by Bakerita
Triple Berry Salad with Walnuts, Feta and Avocado by Lorie’s Mississippi Kitchen

WHOLE GRAINS

Containing antioxidants, phytoestrogens, and phytosterols, whole grains are considered a superfood for the heart.

Whole grains include wheat, oats, rice, barley, corn, quinoa, spelt, rye and sorghum.

Additionally, whole grains are high in fiber, which is also important for heart health.

Research has shown that a high fiber diet may reduce the risk of developing heart disease by as much as 40 percent.

Here are a few delicious recipes that incorporate whole grains:

The Best Quinoa Salad by Cookie And Kate
Vegan Mushroom Barley Soup by Salt And Lavender
Whole Grain Spelt Bread by Leelalicious

DARK CHOCOLATE

Flavonoids are the key ingredient that elevates dark chocolate to a heart-healthy food.

Flavonoids can help to thin the blood and boost cardiovascular health. Dark chocolate also helps to increase nitric oxide levels which is important for healthy blood vessels.

When choosing dark chocolate, look for those which contain at least 70% cocoa.

Higher cocoa content means that it’s more beneficial for the heart.

Here are some awesome recipes that use dark chocolate:

French Hot Chocolate by Well Plated
No-Bake Superfood Brownie Energy Bars by Ambitious Kitchen
Healthy Flourless Chocolate Cake by Detoxinista

YOGURT

Yogurt contains probiotics that research has shown can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Yogurt works indirectly to impact the heart by improving digestion and boosting the immune system. It’s important to note that here we’re referring to non-sweetened yogurt.

Plain, unsweetened yogurt with live cultures and probiotic properties is best.

If you want to try making your own homemade yogurt, try our HOMEMADE YOGURT RECIPE, or our EASY DIY GREEK YOGURT RECIPE.

Here are a few other yummy recipes, as well:

Creamy Avocado Yogurt Dip by Two Peas And Their Pod
Yogurt Parfait With Honey And Fruits by The Hungry Bites

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