Your heart is the most vital organ in your body, as it is ultimately responsible for just about everything that gives your body life. So, needless to say, it’s extremely important to maintain a healthy heart if you want to ensure that you keep plugging along. There are several ways to improve and maintain your heart and overall cardiovascular health, including eating the right types of foods. And, believe it or not, if the food is healthy for you, that doesn’t mean it’s going to taste bad. There are several delicious foods that you can enjoy that will not only satisfy your appetitive but also will improve the overall health of your heart, and most of these nutrient-rich options can be easily incorporated into your daily diet.

Entrees and Side Dishes

Fish is the entree most commonly associated with being a healthy option, and there are two types of fish – salmon and tuna – that certainly fall into the category of being heart-healthy options. Both salmon and tuna contain Omega-3 fatty acids, which have been proven to help boost the immune system, reduce the potential for blood clots, help protect against heart attack and plaque buildup in arteries, and even help lower blood pressure. You can incorporate these two fish entrees with a side of black beans and brown rice for a savory, healthy meal. Black beans and brown rice both contain B-complex vitamins as well as magnesium, niacin, and fiber, nutrients that help protect against the hardening of arteries and can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Vegetables

Vegetables comprise one of the major food groups, so incorporating a range of vegetables into your diet is vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. There are several heart-healthy vegetables that contain carotenoids, which are heart-protective antioxidants. These options include broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, asparagus, and red bell peppers. Many of these vegetables also are rich in fiber, potassium, calcium, and contain B-complex vitamins as well as vitamins A, C, and E, all of which can help protect against blood clots and hardening of the arteries and are good for maintaining proper cholesterol levels.

Several of these vegetable options can be eaten individually as a snack, and incorporating tomato slices, carrots, or even steamed asparagus between lunch and dinner is a great way to tide you over between regular meals. You can also enjoy many of these options together in a salad for lunch or dinner. And, by using spinach, which contains B-complex vitamins as well as magnesium, calcium, fiber, and the carotenoid lutein, instead of iceberg or romaine lettuce, you can create the perfect ensemble of healthy vegetables.

Fruits and Nuts

Odds are good that you can’t go a handful of days before someone you know belts out that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Whether or not you feel that way, you should know that breakfast is a perfect time to incorporate fruit into your daily food intake, and by doing so you can help improve the overall health of your heart. Fruits such as oranges, cantaloupe, papaya, and blueberries are high in several vitamins, including E and C, which serve as antioxidants that protect cells from damage. They also contain potassium, fiber, and magnesium, which can help lower blood pressure. A bowl of fruit can serve as the perfect breakfast dish, or you could top off a bowl of oatmeal – another heart-friendly breakfast option – for added flavor.

Like many fruits, some nuts are a nutrient-rich snack options that can benefit the heart. Two of the best nut options are walnuts and almonds, as both contain magnesium and fiber as well as phytosterols, plant sterols that chemically resemble cholesterol and help reduce blood cholesterol levels.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education. http://www.spineseminar.com/

Author Bio: John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
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