As a person gets older, they engage in less activity and find themselves eating foods that are convenient. Gone are the days when they needed three meals a day with several snacks. Mobility problems can make it even harder to eat a balanced meal. However, good foods for the heart are critical to maintaining your health.
What Are Good Foods for the Heart?
Heart health is paramount for overall wellbeing. The right foods promote proper heart function and health. The wrong foods cause your heart to become blocked and may increase the risk of disease development. The following are some excellent foods to consume to help with disease prevention and function of the heart.
- Greens: The nutrients in leafy greens are essential for regulating the heart’s pumping function and rhythm. Look for spinach and kale as some of the best choices.
- Healthily fats: Saturated fats are bad for your heart. However, eating healthy fats such as nuts and omega-3 fatty acid-rich fish may help to reverse some of the damage to your heart.
- Whole grains: Eating a diet rich in whole grains helps minimize the amount of sugar consumed. It may even help you lose a few pounds, which can further help support your heart’s best function.
- Vegetable variety: Eat a rainbow of vegetables. Each color depicts a different type of nutrient present. Eating a range of them means you’re getting a wide range of nutrients to support proper cell function, including in your heart.
- Lean meats: There’s a lot of controversy about what type of meats to eat. However, lean meats tend to be ideal because they don’t contain cholesterol-causing fats. You may also consider eating more fish and eggs in your diet for their healthy fats.
The goal is often to eat more whole foods, too. That means shopping in the produce section rather than the boxed food section at the grocery store. The more sodium in a food, the more stress you are putting on your heart and kidneys. Make the switch to fresh food to see a significant difference even right away.