Healthy morning breakfast with oatmeal.
You have heard certain foods can raise your risk for heart disease but a healthy lifestyle, including eating heart-healthy foods and exercising regularly, can reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, and is good for your overall health as well as your waistline.
So instead of eating unhealthy stuff, select foods that are rich in nutrients, fiber, and healthy fats and in their natural form.
Here’s a list of foods that are good for your heart:
Berries
Berries are considered a superfood for its special health benefits, including lowering your risk of heart disease.
Carrots
Carrots are packed with carotenoids, fiber and vitamins that can help your heart. Several studies have linked beta-carotene levels with a reduced risk of heart attack and heart disease.
Citrus fruits
Oranges, cantaloupes and papaya are rich in beta-carotene, potassium, magnesium and fiber, all of which are good for your heart.
Dark beans
Dark beans, such as kidney or black beans, are high in fiber, B-vitamins, minerals and other good things that are good for your heart.
Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate contains substances that protect your heart. Eating dark chocolate can help lower your blood pressure naturally, reducing the risk factors that can lead to heart disease and diabetes.
Fish
Salmon and other fatty fish like sardines and mackerel packed with omega-3 fatty acids, shown to lower the risk of arrhythmia (irregular heart beat) and atherosclerosis (plaque build-up in the arteries) and decrease triglycerides in studies.
Flaxseeds
Adding flaxseeds to your diet is an excellent idea. Flaxseeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and phytoestrogens that boost heart health.
Nuts
Eating a handful of nuts such as almonds, walnuts, will not only satisfy your hunger. Nuts are loaded with heart-healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Oatmeal
Oats are loaded with important vitamins, minerals and antioxidant plant compounds. Studies have shown that oatmeal offers many health benefits, including weight loss, lowered blood sugar levels and reduces risk of heart disease.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are low in calories but high in fiber and have many nutrients including lycopene, vitamin A, B, C and E, and potassium that are good for your overall health.