The new year is officially here, and, for many, this means checking in on our health and wellness. February is American Heart Awareness Month, which is an extremely important topic in the United States and the world as cardiovascular disease and other heart-related conditions are the number one cause of death worldwide. That said, many heart conditions are developed from poor lifestyle choices such as diet. Diet is one of the first things a doctor will recommend changing if you are in danger of developing a heart problem. So, if you or a loved one are in danger of or have developed a heart condition, check out the list of heart-friendly recipes below to improve your heart’s health and function.
Foods eaten in season contain peak nutrients and generally put less of a dent in your budget than if purchased out of season. Eating the most nutritious and freshest ingredients can make or break your season. Whether you want to grow your own fresh produce in your backyard, stop by a farmers’ market, or shop at your local grocery or co-op, the following hints and tips will lead you to the freshest produce and where to find it in order to stay healthy and budget friendly this year.
To eat foods in season means choosing fruits and vegetables at their natural peak growing times. When produce is grown in conditions that require minimal care, they’re in season; think of how berries grow fat and ripen in the hot steamy months of July and August or root vegetables and kale in the fall. Here is a list of commonly known produce best eaten in the winter months: lemons, oranges, grapefruit, beets, turnips, celery root, cabbage, kale, collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, squash, avocados, arugula, Brussels sprouts, carrots, leeks and sweet potatoes. Try some of these fun, tasty recipes to liven up your winter diet.
Vegetables for Heart Health
Take some extra time this January and February to think about your heart health and vegetables that will improve your heart function. Vegetables such as kale, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, edamame, sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, mushrooms, and many more are all fantastic for heart health. The next few recipes are easy ways to add more fresh vegetables to your diet that will not only taste delicious but make you and your heart thrive.
Turkey and Kale Meatballs with an Apple Tahini Sauce
Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad
Spinach Mushroom Breakfast Casserole
Protein for Heart Health
The type of meat you consume if you have heart disease is vital to your health. There are many meats that cause bodily harm, instigating blockages and build-up in your arteries. The front-runner of these harmful meats is red meat. There have been numerous studies done about the negative effects red meat has on the body and specifically on the heart. However, to prevent and even reduce blockages in your system, reduce and/or eliminate red meat from your diet and instead consume leaner, heart-healthy proteins instead, such as seafood, salmon, tuna, walnuts, almonds, tofu, and beans.
Vegetarian Chili
Smoky Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salad
