A Good Treat for Any Valentine: A Healthy Heart!

Author: Shannon Miller

Valentine’s Day will be here fast.  If there is one day that reminds us of how important our heart is, it’s this one.  Of course we all know that we should take care of our hearts year around, not just on February 14^th. And most of us probably also know that there is more to keeping our hearts healthy than red roses, fancy dinners, and heart-shaped boxes of chocolates.

Although not as romantic, 3 things to keep in mind for a healthy heart are fat, sodium, and fiber.  So, if you really want to impress your sweetheart, keep these tips in mind the next time you go food shopping:

• 3 letters, big impact: Try to limit your intake of foods that are high in saturated and trans fat, such as:
  • Fatty meats
  • Fried foods
  • Cakes
  • Cookies
• Shake that salt away: Focus on brands of canned soups, vegetables, snack foods, and lunch meats that are tagged as “low-sodium” or “no salt added.”

For more information on Salt checkout our article: Cut the Salt to Help Your Heart

• Don’t forget your faithful friend, Fiber: If you’ve been missing him, you are likely to find him in:
  • Vegetables
  • Fruits
  • Whole grains.

For more information on Fiber checkout our article: Fiber Frenzy

Source: “Heart Healthy Foods: Shopping List”,  2 Feb 2011,  Healthfinder.