To keep your heart in tip-top shape it’s important to lead a healthy lifestyle, which includes having a healthy diet and fueling your body with an ample amount of nutrients from all of the food groups. Give your heart some love and follow these five nutritional recommendations from the American Heart Association to help keep your heart healthy
1. Fill up on Fish
Be sure to eat fish twice a week or more, particularly fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, sardines, mackerel, and trout.
2. Choose Healthy Fats
Eat healthier fats, like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats instead of saturated and trans fat. Choose foods that are full of healthy fats, like almonds, olive oil, salmon and sunflower seeds. To help reduce your intake of trans fat, steer clear of foods that contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
3. Go for Grains
Add fiber-rich whole grains to your diet, such as whole rye, buckwheat, brown rice and whole oats.
4. Cut Back on Salt
To reduce your consumption of sodium, select low-sodium foods and use salt sparingly when cooking. Instead of adding salt, use spices and herbs to season your food.
5. Increase Your Fruit & Veggie Intake
Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, whether they are fresh, frozen or canned. For frozen and canned fruit and vegetables, be sure to select those without sauces or added salt and sugars.
