A wide variety of foods are needed to create a heart-healthy diet. Often times we look for that one magic food, but omega-3 fats and oatmeal won't give you all of nutrients you need. So we're giving you 20 foods to incorporate into your diet.
All of the listed foods are top-performers in protecting your heart and blood vessels.
- Salmon - Grill salmon with a yummy rub or marinade. Chop into a pasta or salad.
- Flaxseed - Ground flaxseed hides easily in yogurt parfaits or homemade muffins.
- Oatmeal - Top hot oatmeal with fresh berries.
- Black Beans - Give soup or salad a nutrient boost by stirring in some beans.
- Nuts - Mix a few almonds into low-fat yogurt or sprinkle on a salad.
- Red Wine - Toast your good health! But stick to one glass per day.
- Tuna - Lightly dressed in greek yogurt, tuna salad can be a healthy lunch.
- Tofu - Thinly slice "firm" tofu, marinate for several hours and grill.
- Brown Rice - Microwavable brown rice makes a quick lunch.
- Soy Milk - Soy milk is great over oatmeal or whole-grain cereal.
- Blueberries - Great for trail mixes, muffins and salads!
- Carrots - Baby carrots are sweet for lunch.
- Spinach - Pick spinach (not lettuce) for nutrient-packed salads and sandwiches.
- Sweet Potato - Eat a baked sweet potato for dinner, but go light on the butter.
- Red Bell Peppers - Rub with olive oil, and grill or oven-roast until tender.
- Asparagus - Grill or steam slightly, then dress with olive oil and lemon.
- Oranges - Try freshly squeezed OJ in the morning.
- Tomatoes - For a flavor twist, try oil-packed tomatoes in sandwiches or salads.
- Cantaloupe - A fragrant ripe cantaloupe is perfect for breakfast or lunch.
- Dark Chocolate - Choose chocolate with 70 percent or higher cocoa content.
For more information about heart health, visit our Heart and Vascular page.
