A Google search for “heart healthy foods” produces thousands of food lists including fruits and vegetables like berries, avocados, leafy greens and grapes, along with other foods like walnuts, olive oil and whole grains. While a heart healthy diet is an important factor in lowering the risk of heart disease, knowing exactly what foods to choose can sometimes be a challenge.
When I asked my husband “What comes to mind when you think of heart healthy foods?” He responded without hesitation, “Fruits and vegetables.” For fun, I asked my nine-year-old daughter the same question. Her response was similar, “Apples and bananas.” And in true kid fashion, followed that with a question. “Mom, is protein healthy?”
Based on my fun family poll and quick Google search, I think it’s safe to assume most people know that fruits and vegetables are heart healthy but like my nine-year-old points out, when it comes to protein, including pork, the answers aren’t so obvious.
Heart healthy foods are lower in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. When you’re at the meat case, try these three tips to help you shop smarter: