Top Foods for a Healthy Heart

Heart disease is the number one killer in the US but is very preventable through different life style changes such as nutrition. A healthy diet is one of the best precautions you can take to help prevent heart disease. 

In honor of American Heart Month in February, here are a few foods that are sure to keep you heart healthy:

Salmon

Eating this type of fish can provide you with plenty of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are known to lower blood pressure, reduce blood clotting, decrease stroke and heart failure risk, reduce irregular heartbeats, and reduce inflammation. No wonder salmon is so heart healthy! Try to eat about 8 ounces of salmon per week. If salmon isn’t your thing then try a different type of fish to get the omega-3 fatty acids that you need.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is packed with fiber that helps regulate blood sugar levels and get excess cholesterol out of the body. To achieve this benefit, try to eat about 3 grams of soluble fiber per day. This would be about a cup and half of oatmeal in the morning.

Walnuts

Walnuts are full of omega-3s, fiber, Vitamin E, and folate all of which promote a healthy heart. Not only that but they are rich in polyunsaturated fats. These kinds of fat have been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels. Be careful though cause nuts are high in calories. Serving size for walnuts is about 15 walnut halves.

Spinach

Spinach is rich in potassium which can lower blood pressure levels. It is also low in calories and a great source of fiber.

Blueberries

Blueberries are one of those super fruits! They are filled with antioxidants that are beneficial to lowering blood pressure.

These are just some of the foods that can help you maintain a healthy heart. Keep in mind that physical activity works hand in hand with a healthy diet to prevent heart disease. 

Blog post by Krista Post.