Give your heart some love this Valentine's Day

Here's the list of foods your heart will love. 

Fresh whole foods - Fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are the best foods you can eat.
That's because veggies and fruits are loaded with the best and most dense nutritional value per bite.
Both fruit and vegetables contain a lot of fibre, which can help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol and vitamins and minerals essential for our health. Bananas, tomatoes and sweet potatoes are packed with potassium, a necessary mineral for heart well-being.
Frozen fruits and veggies are great budget-friendly options for families, which are more affordable and have a longer shelf life. Also, tinned vegetables should be a must-have in your pantry. Just make sure they are low in sodium.

Dry whole foods - Whole grains

If you want to follow a heart-friendly diet, try to avoid harmful refined carbs such as white bread and pasta. Replace them with whole grains alternatives, dark bread and whole-grain pasta. These products contain complex carbohydrates and dietary fibre, which are heart health boosters. Whole grains also contain vitamins and minerals like iron, selenium, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, folate and magnesium.

Healthy fats - olive oil

Not all fats are bad for your heart. It's all about the type of fat you eat. Your heart will appreciate it if you replace butter with healthier plant-based oils. Trans fats and saturated fats are linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. Healthy fats include olive oil, avocado and those made of nuts and seeds, such as sunflower oil, canola oil, and sesame oil.


Plant-based protein - legumes and pulses

Eating red processed meat is very harmful to your body and heart. Legumes, such as beans, lentils, peas and chickpeas, as well as nuts and seeds, are a great source of healthy lean protein and can replace meat in a healthy-heart diet.
Also, fermented plant-based food such as tofu and tempeh are great for your heart. Do your heart a favour and swap meat with healthy plant-based protein alternatives.