A good healthy diet routine should not only take care of your waistline but also your heart which is the most important organ of the body. By consuming certain foods you can make your heart function as healthy as possible and reduce the chances of cardiovascular diseases. Read more on how you can prevent the chance of having a stroke.
Nature has given us a whole pharmacy in terms of its fruits and vegetables. Some foods are rich in nutrients and vitamins good for cardiovascular health. Try to eat foods in their natural form which are most commonly known as ‘whole-foods. Create diet plans according to your body needs and follow them strictly as clean eating is most important. Take a look at some of the foods that can help you keep your heart healthy.
- Eat fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as tuna, salmon, herring, trout and mackerel. Omega-3 fatty acids are extremely beneficial for the heart as well as for increasing brain functioning.
- Consume a handful of nuts every day such as almonds, walnuts and pistachios. Not only these nuts will satisfy your hunger but also help make your heart stronger.
- Berries contain heart-healthy nutrients such as phytonutrients and fiber. Consume blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and raspberries in combination with your morning cereals or yoghurt.
- Seeds are called superfoods as these little packets are full of energy and nutrients. Eat half a tablespoon of flaxseeds daily as it contains omega-3 fatty acids, phytoestrogens and fibers. Consume chia seeds and basil seeds as well to improve your heart health.
- Oats are a powerhouse of nutrients. Try eating oats in your breakfast with milk or yoghurt. You can also mix oats with salads.
- Legumes are dried beans and lentils such as pinto, garbanzo, black beans and kidney beans. These are high in fiber and vitamin B which is good for the heart.
- Soy is one of the good ingredients for the heart. Involve tofu in stir-fry form and add fresh vegetables with it. This can make a tasty, fulfilling meal.
- Red, orange and yellow vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, red peppers, yellow peppers are full of carotenoids, vitamins and fibers to help with heart function.
- Green vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, iceberg lettuce, kale are extremely beneficial for the body. Use these vegetables in sandwiches and burgers. Make salads with these vegetables and eat them at least once a day. These leafy green vegetables are full of nutrients such as vitamin C, calcium, folate, potassium and fiber.
- Fruits such as cantaloupes, oranges, apples and papaya are rich in beta-carotene, magnesium, potassium and fiber. So consume fruits as a whole or in salads.
- Last but not the least, dark chocolate is one of the good sources of heart-healthy nutrients. Look for the percentage of cocoa while buying dark chocolate. The higher the cocoa, the healthier it is for the heart.