Take a Snack in the Right Direction
Some foods are great for heart health. Check out the list below to learn why.
Almonds
Several varieties of nuts are considered by the FDA to have cardio-protective effects on your heart. These include: almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, pecans,
walnuts, and peanuts. Nuts can contain omega-3s, fiber, vitamin E, CoQ10 and other nutrients. Just remember a small handful of nuts is approximately 150 calories, so portion size is important.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is thought to have a cholesterol-lowering effect. This is due to the
soluble fiber beta-glucan that it contains. Half a cup of oatmeal is 150 calories and 4 grams of fiber. Be mindful of toppings, because butter and sugar add more calories and fat.
Dark Chocolate
If you have a steady chocolate craving, an occasional small piece of dark chocolate is a great solution. Dark chocolate contains flavanoids that have antioxidant properties that help fight the free radicals in your body. Choose a chocolate with greater than 65% cacao for best health benefit. One ounce of dark chocolate provides approximately 160 calories and 6 grams of saturated fat.
Berries
Whole fruits are another great way to get important nutrients into your body. They contain important vitamins, minerals and fiber. Variety is important; no single fruit provides all the nutrients you need to be healthy! One cup of fresh strawberries is 50 calories, 4 grams of fiber and a great source of vitamin C.
In addition, fruit provides sterols and stanols, which help block the absorption of HDL, or “bad” cholesterol, in your body.
Vegetables
Having vegetables readily available is a great way to take your snacking in the right direction. Vegetables contain no cholesterol or saturated fat, they are low in calories, and they also contain important vitamins, fiber and other nutrients essential to good heart health.
Cottage Cheese
The great thing about low-fat cottage cheese is that it provides you with the dairy serving that you need in your daily diet, without adding any of the saturated fats you’ll find in hard cheese. Half a cup nonfat cottage cheese provides only 80 calories and 15 grams of protein. For a heart healthy diet, this is a great addition to your snack regimen.
