In the name of heart health, add these foods to your grocery cart!
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell.
Heart disease is the No.
Photo:Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell. EatingWell design.
1 cause of death in the U.S.
While there are lots of foods that can improve heart health, sometimes you need a short list.
So, we reached out to nutrition experts to find out their favorite heart-friendly foods.
Get your shopping list ready.
Youre going to want to add these six foods, stat!
Fatty Fish
Theres a reason why nutritionists are huge fans of seafood.
Fatty fish, like salmon, mackerel, sardines and canned tuna, contain heart-supportingomega-3 fatty acids.
If youre new to seafood, Bannan recommends rotating two varieties of fatty fish into your weekly meal plan.
Never made mackerel before?
Try thisGochujang-Glazed Grilled Mackerel.
And if you think you dont likesalmon, this recipe will change your mind!
Theyre also rich in magnesium and fiber, both linked to improved heart health.
She also loves tossing them into soups, casseroles, grain bowls or warm salads.
For more inspiration, check out these19 Leafy-Green Packed Recipes That Arent Salads.
Legumes
Bannan and Bonci unanimously agree thatlegumesare nutritional powerhouses thanks to their cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber.
These16 Dinner Casseroles That Start with a Can of Beanscan get you started.
Olive Oil
If youre not cooking witholive oilyet, heres your invitation to start.
Given olive oils versatility, you could enjoy it in a variety of ways.
Try it as a go-to base forsalad dressings, marinades and even drizzled over roasted vegetables, suggests Bannan.
In fact, eating as little as 1 ounce of tofu daily lowered cardiovascular disease risk by 18%.
If youre new to soy foods, you dont have to go full-on vegan to reap their benefits.
Ease your way in by swapping soy milk for dairy milk insmoothies, lattes or baked goods.
Or, toss a cup of edamame into grain bowls, salads or this hearty Egyptian Edamame Stew.
So, theyre loaded with fiber and antioxidants.
This secret sauce of nutrients may help lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol and fight inflammation.
However, if you have to choose one grain for your heart, make itoatmeal.
Oats are naturally rich in a magical cholesterol-lowering fiber called beta-glucan.
These tips can get you started.
And the best place to start is in your kitchen.
Of course, cardiovascular health isnt just about what you eat.
Its also about lifestyle.
So, slow down and enjoy your food, and make time for daily physical activity.
Combined with a balanced diet, its a powerful prescription for heart health!
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