6 Heart-Healthy Foods for the Spring
With the warmer weather, farmers’ markets and grocery aisles provide more fresh produce and better opportunities to eat fresh foods that are heart-healthy choices. Heart-healthy foods for the spring are easy to come by. With the influx of barbecue and heavy desserts comes opportunities to acquire fresh fruits and vegetables, so it’s a time to make heart-healthy choices for yourself as the warm months roll in. We are here to provide you with the best ways to bring in heart-healthy foods without sacrificing the tastes you love.
Heart-Healthy Nuts
Snacking on nuts like almonds, peanuts, and seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds can help reduce inflammation, which is one of the markers for heart disease. They also help reduce the risk of blood clots and can help improve the health of the lining of the arteries. Packed with fiber, vitamin E, and protein, nuts are an excellent low-fat snack.
Add nuts to dishes to add crunch and flavor, as well as make things like salads more filling and satisfying. Try a handful of walnuts in a crunchy apple salad for a sweet treat that’s not too heavy on sugar. Some nuts are even great combined together and simply eaten plain. There is no limit to how you can try these out and find the ones that taste the best to you.
Barley, Oats, and Grains
Fiber is your heart’s best friend, helping to clean cholesterol from the body’s storage systems and keeping your digestive health on track. Oats and other whole grains provide a slow-burning source of energy and carbohydrates. Unlike highly-processed foods and simple sugars, they don’t create a spike in your blood sugar, which can be hard on your heart.
Instead, oats and other whole grains provide a slow, steady release of energy, keeping you feeling full longer and offering your body a longer-lasting source of energy. There are so many options to choose from that you can basically incorporate them into any dish. You do not have to sacrifice taste in order to bring some extra nutrients into your life. It can be a great combination of both.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Two of the most important heart-healthy foods are fruits and vegetables. With the onset of spring comes the growing season, and a significant increase in the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables. Dark leafy greens are ripening in the spring, as well as certain berries and other fresh fruits. You’ll see a wider variety of options in the supermarket, and start looking for farmers’ markets in your area to expand your selection of locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables.
Farmers’ markets also offer a great opportunity to try new foods you may not have considered in the past while supporting local growers. It acts as a way to increase your health while also providing you with a new hobby you may not have considered before. This spring, take more care of your heart by filling your plate with fresh, wholesome foods that support heart health.
There are so many opportunities to find heart-healthy foods in the spring. Each of these is delicious and easy to incorporate into many dishes one may make. You do not have to consider all of them but trying even just some can make a difference. You and your body will be happy you did. Are you looking for more information about the health benefits of these spring foods? Heart Surgery Information is here to provide you with resources that can help you discover what you’re looking for. Check out our website or give us a call to find out more.
