Easy Heart-Healthy Recipes for Every Meal
Alexandria Iacobelli
| 3 min read
With heart disease being the leading cause of death in the United States, it is important to do all you can to lower the risk of heart disease. Small changes can make a big difference, and starting with your diet is easy with the help of these delicious recipes.
Check out these great recipes, filled with nutrient-rich, heart-healthy superfoods:
Breakfast
- Banana Split Overnight Oats: Oats are a great breakfast to start the day. Oats can help reduce the risk of heart disease and lower cholesterol levels.
- Cherry Almond Bread: Almonds are a great source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which is excellent for maintaining good overall heart health.
- Veggie Egg Wonton Muffins: Eggs are a great high-protein breakfast to give you the energy you need each morning. Top these muffins with avocado to pack even more nutritious benefits from food.
Lunch
- Roasted Beet Hummus: This recipe is super easy to make. For a satisfying, heart healthy lunch, pair it with veggies and pita to keep you full all afternoon.
- Asian Mason Jar Salad with Miso Ginger Dressing: Not only is this salad delicious, but it is also filled with nutritious ingredients. The edamame found in this recipe contains soy protein and filled with fiber, vitamins and minerals.
- Tuna Avocado Bowl with Dried Cherries: All fats are not created equal, but luckily avocado falls on the healthy side of the scale. The fat found in avocados is a monounsaturated fatty acid that has many health benefits.
Dinner
- Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chickpea Chili: Mediterranean diet foods have been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease and lower blood pressure. Chickpeas contain significant amounts of fiber that can help lower cholesterol.
- Roasted Winter Vegetable Buddha Bowl: A balanced bowl of grains, healthy fats, vegetables and protein will fuel your body with the nutrition it needs. With the combination of salmon, chickpeas, tahini, avocado and more, this recipe is filled with healthy cardiovascular protective abilities.
- Roasted Salmon with Blueberry BBQ Sauce: The American Heart Association recommends eating salmon or other fish high in omega-3 fatty acids twice a week. Blueberries are also high in fiber and vitamin C which can help reduce the risk of a heart attack.
Dessert
- Dark Chocolate and Peanut Butter Energy Bites: Everyone has a sweet tooth sometimes. Instead of reaching for a processed sweet treat, these bites will satisfy the craving. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids that fight bad cholesterol and promote a healthy immune system.
- Avocado Chocolate Mousse: Sweets don’t need to be avoided all together when trying to eat healthier. This recipe uses heart healthy, plant-based fat from avocados as a substitute for heavy whipping cream without compromising flavor.
- Quick Baked Pears: The natural sweetness from pears and cinnamon will leave your taste buds happy. To make this an even more heart healthy dish, add walnuts for a tasty crunch. Walnuts are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke.
Photo Credit: Mike Miller, A Healthier Michigan
