Eating for your heart doesn't have to be hard or boring. We make it easy with these good-for-you picks for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Breakfast
Food to try: Blueberries
How they help your heart: Rich in antioxidants, fiber and vitamin C, along with compounds that can help widen your arteries, these bite-size berries prove that good things really do come in small packages.
Make this: Skip the sugar-laden yogurt, and opt for plain Greek yogurt mixed with fresh berries. The protein in the yogurt will help keep you full, and the berries will sweeten up the otherwise tart treat.
Lunch
Food to try: Quinoa
How it helps your heart: This heart–healthy grain packs a powerful punch of fiber, which can help lower cholesterol, and it’s the perfect stand-in for rice or couscous.
Make this: Try topping a serving of quinoa with black beans, avocado and your favorite salsa for a fresh, heart-friendly take on the burrito bowl.
Snack
Food to try: Almonds
How they help your heart: Not only can almonds decrease your LDL (bad) cholesterol, they also may help you lose weight, which your heart will thank you for.
Make this: No need to pack a sad snack of dry nuts. Instead, try roasting them in the oven in a light coating of olive oil, sea salt, chili powder and fresh rosemary.
Dinner
Food to try: Salmon
How it helps your heart: Salmon is chock full of omega-3 fatty acids — a type of unsaturated fat that may help reduce inflammation throughout the body, ultimately preventing heart disease and stroke.
Make this: Rethink your taco Tuesday by pairing seasoned and seared salmon filets with a cabbage slaw and corn tortillas.
Ready to talk to a doctor about your heart health? Schedule an appointment with an Ochsner cardiologist.
