Food for a Healthy Heart
By Olive Curran DipNT, mNTOI
Because Happy Hearts Make Happy Heads.
So Positive Life reader, let’s celebrate a long and healthy life by heading outdoors for some swift exercise. Breathe deeply and meditate to let go of stress and skip the stuff we know is doing us no favours.
Top nutrition tips for a healthy heart:
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Switch to healthier fats: Reduce foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol and instead start including more avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, oily fish (salmon, sardines, and mackerel), nuts (walnuts, almonds, brazil nuts) and mixed seeds.
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Introduce plant sterols: They help lower cholesterol, thereby reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.
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Increase fibrous foods: Wholegrain breads, pastas, quinoa, beans, lentils and oats.
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Eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables: They provide a multitude of antioxidants and phytochemicals, which have been shown to maintain a healthy heart and reduce blood pressure. Red and purple foods are particularly beneficial to the heart so choose foods such as tomatoes, blueberries, purple grapes, figs, raspberries, strawberries, cherries and red apples.
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Take Eskimo-3 fish oil daily: It has been shown to lower triglycerides, balance cholesterol, regulate heart rate and make blood platelets less sticky, overall improving heart health considerably. Take just 1 teaspoon daily to reap the benefits.
“To ensure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life.” ~ William Londen
