Heart Healthy Superfoods to Incorporate in Your Daily Diet

Have you taken the time to add ingredients to your diet that will improve your heart health? If you answered no, then this is your reminder that your body can become SUPER with the right foods. What foods are we talking about? Only the best heart healthy superfoods that will increase your body’s overall wellness, reduce risks of heart disease, and make you feel incredible! Take a look and start incorporating them into your daily diet!

Berries

A common superfood that flies under the radar is berries! These delicious bites of flavour aren’t just a tasty treat, they are jam-packed full of nutritious elements that will boost your heart health and keep your body happy! Berries like blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, strawberries, goji berries, and others contain antioxidants, vitamins (like C and manganese), minimal calories, and fiber! The best part? They work to reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol!

Incorporate berries into your heart healthy diet by:

• Adding to oatmeal
• Adding to yogurt
• Blending into smoothies
• Adding to salads (try this refreshing berry salad recipe!)
• Infusing in your water
• Adding it to your baking

Quinoa

Quinoa is an amazing alternative to some of the carb and sugar heavy starches that often are found in our diet (like mashed potatoes and pre-packaged cereals). Adding this gluten-free, heart healthy superfood to your diet ensures you get plenty of protein, antioxidants, fiber, magnesium, iron, and more! With all of these elements packed into a single spoonful, your body is receiving what it needs to reduce the likelihood of heart disease and diabetes by lowering your cholesterol and blood sugar levels!

Incorporate quinoa into your heart healthy diet by:

• Using it instead of rice or potatoes
• Adding to breakfast oatmeal or use it instead of oatmeal
• Adding to salads
• Blending into smoothies
• Using in granola mixes and homemade bars
• Mixing it into soups
• Adding it to burger patties (check out this recipe for vegetarian teriyaki burgers!)

Spinach and Kale

When people hear that something has kale or spinach in it, they often avoid it. But did you know that these dark leafy greens are simple ingredients you can add to numerous dishes that will still taste incredible while providing you with ULTIMATE health solutions? These vegetables are loaded with vitamins (potassium, magnesium, vitamin A, C, B-6, and K just to name a few!) and also contain omega-3 fatty acids and flavonoids which play a key role in supporting the cardiovascular system!

Incorporate spinach and kale into your heart healthy diet by:

• Adding into casseroles or pasta dishes (like this vegetarian kale and Portobello lasagna!)
• Adding to salads
• Mixing them into soup
• Making chips with them (specifically kale chips!)
• Adding them to dips
• Blending them into smoothies
• Adding into wraps or sandwiches
• Mixing them into sauces

Beans

Beans, beans, the magical fruit. The more you eat, the more you… help your heart too! Beans are a heart healthy superfood due to the components in them that work to reduce blood pressure. For those vegetarians or vegans, beans are a perfect way to add protein and fiber into your diet. These tiny little legumes are helpful to control blood sugar as well as cholesterol levels and ensure that your heart is pumping blood at its best!

Incorporate beans into your heart healthy diet by:

• Adding them to chilis
• Using in Mexican food dishes
• Mixing them into soup
• Eating them as a side
• Adding to salads
• Blending them for dips
• Mashing into meatballs or burger patties
• Adding into pasta dishes
• Adding them into your baking (why not try this black bean brownie recipe!)

The more you are able to incorporate these heart healthy superfoods into your diet, the more your heart will thank you! 

Veggies or meat? The debate has been ongoing, and you may be wondering whether meat or animal proteins are better? Wonder no more! Take a look at how plant-based diets and meat diets affect your health and the differences between the two!