Our hearts are quite literally the beating life source of everything we do. That’s why maintaining optimal heart health should be a priority for everyone, no matter their health history and background.  

Keeping your heart healthy, happy, and thriving starts with a nourishing diet. If you’re looking to preserve your already-healthy heart or start eating a heart-healthy diet, we’ve got you covered. Here are some heart healthy foods we know you’ll love.

Foods for a Healthy Heart: Start Here

Incorporating more heart-healthy foods can significantly improve your heart and your overall well-being. But that doesn’t mean fitting them into your meals has to be a challenge. In fact, most heart-healthy foods are as delicious as they are nutrient-rich. There are also tons of creative, heart-focused recipes to try. 

If you don’t know where to begin when it comes to a heart healthy diet, start here.

Leafy Greens

Nearly every health expert raves about the countless benefits of leafy greens. With good reason, too! Veggies like kale, spinach, chard, and collard greens are packed with essential minerals and antioxidants. 

Leafy greens are also packed with nitrates, which significantly reduce blood pressure and improve the cell lining of blood vessels.

Avocados

The world’s favorite superfood; avocados contain the healthy fats necessary for a happy, healthy heart. 

Because avocados are filled with monounsaturated fats, they’re shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and lower cholesterol. They’re also rich in the nutrient potassium, which is vital for a healthy heart. 

Luckily, avocados are undeniably delicious, too.

Salmon and Fatty Fish

There’s no conversation about heart health without mentioning fatty fish. Fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines are filled with omega-3 fatty acids. 

Omega-3s may play a key role in protecting the heart from unwanted illnesses and complications. Consuming fatty fish reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, depression, and high blood pressure. 

Wild-caught fish are also an excellent source of protein and can be implemented into any heart healthy diet. 

Walnuts

Say hello to your new favorite tree nut! 

Walnuts provide unbeatable sources of magnesium, copper, and manganese. In fact, multiple studies have demonstrated the positive impacts of daily walnut servings. 

Overall, walnuts are powerful cardiovascular disease preventers, and can also lower the risk of heart disease overall. Walnuts can be added to oatmeal, smoothie bowls, salads, or snack mixes!

Dark Chocolate

Enjoy the lusciousness of dark chocolate guilt-free! 

Dark chocolate boosts heart health with its flavonoids and antioxidants. In fact, moderately consuming chocolate weekly can decrease your risk of stroke, coronary disease, or diabetes. 

While dark chocolate inarguably provides positive health effects, it’s important to consume it in small doses. 

How Often to Consume Heart Healthy Food

So, how often should you consume heart healthy food to reap its benefits? As with any diet, eating for your heart’s health requires balance. This is why it can be helpful to receive the guidance of a nutrition consultant. With the trusted knowledge of a nutrition expert, you can eat in a way that supports and fuels your body. You will also receive health-specific guidelines, so you know you’re eating in a way that suits your unique needs.

Incorporating these heart-healthy foods will take time. Add them to your diet gradually. Once you make these foods a part of your everyday life, your heart will be happy for the long haul.

Choose Z.E.N. and Incorporate Heart Healthy Foods With Ease

Z.E.N. stands for “Zero Effort Nutrition,” and we believe it doesn’t have to be hard to eat well. Food is some of the best medicine for what ails us. 

You deserve to feel happy, healthy, and enlivened in your body. We help you achieve it by delivering nourishing and farm-to-table meals, made with whole and heart healthy foods, straight to your door daily. 

Speak to a Z.E.N. consultant at (310) 205-9368 to get started!