Four Heart Healthy Foods To Add To Your Diet

Healthy eating can seem like a big challenge these days, when time and convenience seem to influence all our decisions. However, making healthy food choices can actually reduce your risk of certain heart diseases. Here are some heart healthy foods that are easy to incorporate into your everyday diet.

Soy

Soyfoods are packed with protein and unsaturated fat, which can help with heart health. In fact, 25 grams of soy protein per day may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Look for soy in everyday foods like baked goods, breakfast cereals, dairy-replacement products, meat products and pasta. You can also enjoy it straight from the pod as edamame.

Seafood

The FDA recommends mixing up your protein sources with some oily fish. Fish like salmon, trout and tuna are high in vitamins A and D, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which can help protect against heart disease.

Vegetables

The latest food guide from the FDA says that half our plates should be filled with fruits and vegetables at every meal. For veggies that are especially heart healthy, try incorporating more dark green, red and orange vegetables, as well as beans and peas into your diet.

Whole Grains

Eating whole grains can also reduce the risk of heart disease. Not to be confused with whole wheat, whole grains include corn, oats, quinoa, rice and wheat.

Keep growing your knowledge about the health benefits of soy by reading this blog. Then toast your heart health with a yummy protein-rich smoothie. Cheers!

Hungry for Truth is an initiative about food and farming funded by the South Dakota soybean checkoff. The goal is to connect South Dakotans with the farmers who grow and raise their food.