subject: Want to Help Your Heart Health? [print this page] Want to Help Your Heart Health? Want to Help Your Heart Health?
There's a lot of concern about eating the right foods and living well. Most want to lose weight and others want to keep it off or prevent themselves from gaining in the first place. From heart-healthy foods to food that improve your eyesight or skin, there's a wide world full of the best nature has to offer. If nothing else you should remember this: natural foods are the best for you. The best foods are the ones that had the least steps from nature to your plate. To keep your heart in good shape, a steady diet of fruits and vegetables is key. You know the saying about having an apple a day, but also consider new fruits to spice things up. Papaya is full of calcium, potassium, magnesium and other healthy nutrients. Sweet potato is a good substitute for regular white potatoes because of its vitamins and fiber, and spinach is more nutrient-rich than Iceberg and other lettuces. Don't be afraid to try ethnic dishes to have a new and tasty way to eat your produce. I'm sure you also want to know about meat and protein. Often the negative aspects of meat and fish are reported more than the positives. The truth is that there are numerous protein options that are actually good for you. Be sure to look for omega-3 fatty acids. These are good fats that are abundant in fish like salmon and tuna. In fact, black and kidney beans are good sources of these fats, and almonds and walnuts have plenty of plant omega-3's. Fish, nuts and beans provide phytonutrients and help fulfill you without filling your arteries and body with dangerous fat and cholesterol. Finally, remember to enjoy a few indulgences. That's sweet music to many people's ears. Consider foods like genuine dark chocolate and fine red wine. Red wine and dark chocolate have nutrients that are good for your heart and blood vessels, but with dark chocolate it's important that it has a cocoa content of 70% or more to get the best effect. With all desserts and snacks, eating them in moderation or only occasionally is the best piece of advice. If you enjoy your food guilt-free, you're less like to overdo it. Having a healthy diet is a life choice rather than some meal plan or harsh regimen. It's most important to enjoy exercise, a well-balanced diet and hobbies that enrich your life.
