Superfood Central
Experts claim to live a heart-healthy lifestyle you should be eating a ton of superfoods. But to some, the word superfoods might make them think of expensive, exotic, and strange-looking foods, located at the back of the supermarket in the aisle full of gym-goers and Instagram influencers. And for normal folk like us, that’s not something we could just incorporate straight into our new heart-conscious diet, right?
Well, did you know superfoods are actually around you all the time when you’re in the supermarket? Superfoods don’t have to be tiny, unappealing seeds and plastic looking meat alternatives. They can be so much more, and you’ll be happy to know red wine, chocolate, potatoes are included!
Red Wine
Is there anything better than getting home from work and unwinding on the sofa with a glass of your favorite red wine? We thought not.
Although too much red wine can actually damage your body, and cause a number of health problems, experts have claimed that if you drink a moderate amount of red wine, it’ll help prevent cholesterol from building up in your blood vessels! Now we’re not one to not listen to the experts so, pass us that bottle!
Oatmeal
What’s the perfect winter breakfast? Pancakes? Cinnamon cereal flakes? What about some hearty and warming oatmeal?
Oatmeal is a perfect example of a healthy and delicious breakfast choice. It’s a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids and offers not one, but four grams of fiber in every serving! So what are you waiting for? Drizzle your oatmeal in blueberries or fresh fruit and prepare for a party in your mouth!
Green Tea
Perfect to sip when you’re curled up on the sofa, Green Tea is a massive favorite! But why would it not be? It’s loaded with antioxidants, can lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and is a much better alternative than coffee or hot chocolate for example.
According to one study, a group of people drank more than five cups of green tea a day, and it reduced their risk of heart attacks and strokes by 26%! Wow.
Chocolate
They say to live a healthy lifestyle you need to cut out sugar. Which means cutting out chocolate. And to some, that can be a hard thing; like saying goodbye to an old friend. But did you know chocolate can actually make your heart healthy?
Yes, you read that right! According to experts, dark chocolate can help reduce the risk of both heart disease and stroke! This due to dark chocolate containing flavnols; an antioxidant that helps prevent heart disease. So next time you take a bite of your favorite chocolate bar don’t feel guilty!
Sweet Potato
It’s the sister of the standard potato; sweet potatoes are a fantastic source of vitamins. Inside one of these, you’ll find vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, folate, calcium, and fiber. Oh, and did you know if you eat their skins you’ll get even more fiber!
What’s great about these handy helpers is that you can transform them into anything! Slice them into strips and bake until crisp for a healthier alternative of fries, roast in the oven and top with sour cream or bake and mash it up for the perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving dinner!
Yogurt
Whether you dollop it on your granola or spoon it out of the tub, yogurt is absolutely delicious! Plan or flavored, it’s super beneficial for your gut. But did you know even established weight lifters use yogurt as their protein intake?
Yogurt itself has been linked to helping reduce levels of high blood pressure. Numerous studies have proved that it just takes two servings of yogurt a day to help it work its wonders. When eating yogurt as part of a healthy diet, it reduces the risk of developing heart diseases and strokes.
Potatoes
How do you like your potatoes? Fried? Boiled? Mashed up? For some, the idea of eating potatoes when trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle may seem strange. After all, they’re white and are renowned for being a ‘bad’ starch! But, as long as they’re not deep-fried in oil or butter, potatoes genuinely can be good for your heart!
You see, they’re enriched in potassium and high in fiber, which can lower blood pressure and lower the risk of heart disease. So next time you pick up a bag of frozen french fries, why not opt for a jacket potato instead? Your heart will thank us later.
Avocado
No matter what, whenever you scroll through Instagram you’re guaranteed to find a well-presented and well-edited picture of an avocado brunch. Lightly toasted sourdough bread, topped with a generous topping of avocado and a fluffy poached egg. Sounds delicious right?
Although avocados have 5 grams of fat, this fat can actually help you lose weight and increase your heart health. The reason why? Well, it trains your body to burn fat as fuel.
Oranges
When the sun is beaming down and the air is cool and crisp, is there anything better than getting your teeth into a juicy and flavorsome orange? We thought not. Oranges are both delicious and nutritious. Not only is the fan-favorite fruit refreshing and tasty, but it’s also full of fiber, nutrients, and vitamin C. And that’s not all.
Oranges also contain a ton of pectin, which is a fiber that absorbs the cholesterol in the food you eat. Oranges also contain potassium, which can lower blood pressure down.
Kale
A major part of the cabbage family, Kale is one of the healthiest superfood options you could choose. Not only is it packed with a ton of nutrients, but it can help maintain health in your cardiovascular system. And studies have proven it can also stop heart disease.
This vegetable truly is the superior heart-boosting food. Full of fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, you’ll also be pleased to know it has zero calories and fat. Yes, you heard that right! Now is the time to add this gorgeous vegetable to your diet.
Spinach
If it’s good enough for Popeye, it’s good enough for you, right? Spinach is a timeless and tasty vegetable; perfect for tossing into salads, blitzing into smoothies, and drizzling onto pizzas.
The vegetable not only tastes great but it’s also got a ton of healthy nutrients inside: beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, potassium, folate, calcium, and fiber.
Garlic
Vampires beware! Although garlic is renowned for scaring away a certain fanged monster, this small but mighty superfood actually packs a hearty-punch!
You may chop, mince and throw garlic into your dishes to add some flavor and spice, but it can also reduce the plaque level of the arteries and reduce blood vessel construction too!
Beans
Perfect for stews, chillis, salads, and more, beans are a perfect way to add texture and protein to your meal. Did you know these tiny but mighty friends, contain similar nutrients and vitamins like those found in meat and fish?
Although they don’t contain the same amount of iron as specific meats and fish, they are a perfect alternative for meat. They contain no saturated fat and help protect your digestive system to prevent digestive cancers.
Sardines
This superfood isn’t exactly a favorite amongst people, but research has shown that eating this can seriously help your heart!
The fish contains a large amount of heart-boosting nutrients and goodies, including omega 3 fatty acids. It can also help increase good cholesterol in the body. Although the smell may be strong, there’s no denying how strong you’d feel after incorporating this fish into your diet and lifestyle!