Tasty Food for Your Heart
Tasty Food for Your Heart
When we think of eating a heart healthy diet, too often we picture bland, boring plates of food, but that perception is changing. There are several treats that are actually as wonderful as they taste.
NUTS
They’re good for you. Recent studies have shown that, eaten in moderation, an ounce of nuts, four or five times a week, can reduce your heart disease risk from 35 to 50 percent. Vitamin E, folic acid, B6 and magnesium, to name a few, are all present in one of our favorite snacks. However, a word to the wise: One ounce is roughly equivalent to two or three tablespoons, so don’t go nuts.
FISH
Unless you’re living under a reef, you’ve heard that the Omega 3 fatty acids in salmon are good for you, however, it doesn’t stop there. Lake trout, herring, mackerel and sardines are also great sources of this amazing fat. Let it be noted that wild salmon is a better choice than farmed fish, due to PCB contamination.
DARK CHOCOLATE
The cacao bean is one of nature’s finest gifts to humans. With a high level of the flavonoid, epicatechin, a tasty piece of chocolate might be the perfect prescription for heart health.
WINE
Resveratrol, found in red wine, has been known to prevent blood clotting and increase good cholesterol levels. This is not a license to over-indulge, but a glass of wine with your meal can be a wonderful addition to your diet.
INDIAN FOOD
Yes, you read correctly. Does that mean everything you see on the buffet is fair game? Not exactly, but when prepared properly, the spices used in Indian food are an invaluable addition to your nutrition. Turmeric and cinnamon both increase metabolism and lower bad cholesterol levels. Garlic and ginger are also well known for their healing properties.
BERRIES
For lowering blood pressure and raising heart healthy HDL cholesterol levels, berries are a wonder food, and it’s not just blueberries. Consume a variety of fruits, including strawberries, raspberries and currants, for a sweet treat that puts you on the path to well being.
YOGURT
Yogurt has been used as a healing food for centuries, often to aid in digestion, but it has also been shown to reduce thickening of the arterial wall.
Eating well, doesn’t mean making great sacrifices. There are a wide variety of foods to satisfy your cravings and give your heart a delicious boost.
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