17 Heart-Healthy Recipes That Actually Taste Great (2024)
Approximately 71 million Americans (more than 20%) have high cholesterol. Your diet is very important if you're trying to lower yours. Follow these heart-healthy guidelines:
• Eat whole grains and beans. They're high in soluble fiber, which basically binds to the cholesterol you eat so that it passes out of your body instead of sticking around to clog up your arteries.
• Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Some fruits and veggies contain lots of soluble fiber, while others contain more insoluble fiber (which is also good for you but doesn't affect cholesterol). Eat a variety of fruits and veggies so you get plenty of both kinds of fiber.
• Eat vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds. The monounsaturated fats in these foods can lower your LDL cholesterol, aka bad cholesterol. Walnuts, almonds, macadamia nuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and flax seeds are all good choices.
• Eat fatty fish, nuts, and avocado. "Omega-3 fatty acids may help raise HDL cholesterol, which is your good cholesterol," says Keri Gans, a New York-based registered dietitian and the author of The Small Change Diet. Salmon is great for Omega-3s, but so are lots of other fish like trout, mackerel, and sardines.
• Limit fatty animal products, such as whole milk, processed meats, and high-fat cuts of red meat. Saturated fat, present in all those foods, has long been considered a major threat to heart health because it can raise the amount of cholesterol in your blood. Recent research questions that wisdom, but Gans says she still follows American Heart Association guidelines. "I still advise my patients to limit saturated fats," she told BuzzFeed. Play it safe by keeping plenty of variety in your diet and not relying solely on animal-based foods for your protein.
2.Apple and Chicken Egg White Omelet
3.Curry Roasted Vegetable and Avocado Naan-Wich
4.Black Bean and Corn Burger
6.Thai Chicken Crunch Wraps
7.Farro Salad with Oven-Roasted Grapes and Autumn Greens
8.Honey Mustard Salmon with Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
9.Trout Salad with Citrus and Radishes
10.Lentil and Bulgur Soup
11.Almond-Crusted Chicken Strips
12.Roasted Vegetable Salad with Garlic Dressing + Toasted Pepitas
13.Curry Tofu Tacos with Pintos & Kale Slaw
14.Curried Quinoa with Spinach and Almonds
16.Italian Orzo Spinach Soup
17.Dark Chocolate Brown Rice Pudding
Focusing on specific foods to control your cholesterol is smart, but it's not everything. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly are also important, Gans says. And everyone's different, so speak to your doctor about what's best for you.
One way to begin is to create a daily meal plan that emphasizes vegetables, fruits and whole grains and limits high-fat foods (such as red meat, cheese and baked goods) and high-sodium foods (such as canned or processed foods).
Plain pasta with marinara sauce is a good lower-cholesterol option when dining at an Italian restaurant, says Kris-Etherton. Also look for grilled chicken, fish, or roasted vegetable dishes, she adds. Dishes with beans and legumes are high in fiber and can help lower cholesterol, Collingwood says.
Chia seeds, flaxseeds, and hemp seeds are all great sources of heart-healthy nutrients, including fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Numerous studies have found that adding these seeds to your diet can improve many heart disease risk factors, including inflammation, blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides.
According to a new scientific report by a committee of professors and cardiologists who analyzed the current body of scientific evidence, the DASH, pescatarian and Mediterranean diets are among the best diets for heart health.
Is pasta on a heart healthy diet? Whole grain pasta is heart-healthy. Research has shown that consuming whole grains, including whole wheat pasta, can help to prevent heart disease. Even better, tomatoes are also considered to be heart-healthy.
As long as they're not deep-fried, potatoes can be good for your heart. They're rich in potassium, which can help lower blood pressure, and they're high in fiber, which can lower the risk for heart disease. "They are definitely not a junk food or refined carbohydrate," said Graf.
Eating potassium-rich sweet potatoes helps promote a healthy heart. Higher potassium intake allows you to excrete more sodium lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk for heart disease according to the American Heart Association.
Overall milk, yoghurt and cheese have a 'neutral' effect on your heart health, meaning these foods don't increase or decrease the risk of heart disease. The complexity stems from the fact that dairy foods contain saturated and ruminant trans fats, which can increase LDL cholesterol.
Go for different colored fruits and vegetables to get the most amount of nutrition on a daily basis. Some fruits and vegetables that are really good in their antioxidant content are sweet potatoes, apples, kiwis, papayas, tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, carrots and different types of berries.
Golden milk, also known as turmeric milk, is a common Indian drink that has recently been gaining popularity in western cultures due to many health claims. It's beautiful bright yellow color is a result of adding turmeric, along with spices such as cinnamon and ginger, to milk.
If you have high cholesterol, pasta doesn't have to be completely off-limits. By choosing healthy noodle alternatives and other heart-healthy ingredients, you can make cholesterol-friendly pasta dishes. Try to steer clear of high-fat cheeses and meats. Instead, opt for low-fat and lean varieties.
Salmon and tuna have healthy omega-3 fats that can help keep your heart healthy and your triglycerides within a healthy range. 3. Add meat alternatives - Adding beans or tofu to your sandwich can add bulk and protein to your diet - without the excess fat.
Water is the drink of choice for heart health. If you're thirsty, drink water. When the weather is warm or we're exercising, our bodies need more water than usual. Unflavoured milk, tea and coffee can be enjoyed in moderation.
Introduction: My name is Kareem Mueller DO, I am a vivacious, super, thoughtful, excited, handsome, beautiful, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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