Heart Healthy Snacks
Heart Healthy Snack Ideas – Celebrate National Heart Month with these DELICIOUS options
February is National Heart Month which is the perfect time to pause and assess your plan for keeping your heart in tip top shape!
First I would strongly encourage you to ensure you have your annual physical scheduled in order to get your blood pressure checked and also routine labs drawn. These lab tests should include a lipid panel (which will assess your total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides and Apo-protein B– all markers of cardiovascular health). Please remember that cardiovascular disease is still the number one cause of death in this country so it’s important to know what is going on below the surface!
After your preventative appointments and screenings are all scheduled, then focus on lifestyle! Lifestyle factors that impact cardiovascular health include fitness, sleep patterns, stress management and of course, nutrition. Best nutrition practices for cardiovascular health include moving away from processed foods, fried foods and foods that are high in saturated fat (like coconut oil, fried foods, cheese, fatty cuts of red meat, butter, cured meats, bacon, and baked goods). It is also recommended to prioritize foods that are high in fiber (fresh fruits, vegetables, chia seeds, sweet potatoes, beans/ lentils, oatmeal, and autumn squash) and high in heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids (fatty fish like salmon/ sardines/ seabass, walnuts, flaxseed, avocado, almonds and pecans).
In order to help you create your healthiest heart, here are some heart healthy and delicious snack options that are full of fiber and nutrition including specific antioxidants that benefit vascular health. Make these smart swaps today and start snacking your way to better cardiovascular health!
Try these Heart Healthy Snacks
- ½ Small Avocado on a rice cake with “Everything but the Bagel” seasoning
- Handful of carrot sticks & ¼ cup of hummus
- ¼ cup of Pecans with 2-3 Tablespoons of dark chocolate chips
- Sliced cucumber rounds with 1 Rxbar
- Celery sticks with 1-2 Tablespoons of Almond butter with no-sugar added dried cranberries
- 1 cup of fresh Blueberries with ¼ cup of cashews
- 1 package of Dry Roasted Edamame with sliced red bell pepper & 1 prune
- Ezekiel Bread with 1 Laughing Cow Light Cheese + thinly sliced apple
The most effective way to address your health issues is working 1:1 with a dietitian! I am here to help you on this journey to better cardiovascular health. Click HERE to check out my programs!
-In Health & Happiness, Jessica Murgueytio
Nutrition Therapy Services
R2P is proud to offer individual nutrition counseling with our new registered dietitian, Jessica Murgueytio. Personalized nutrition helps your body function optimally and increases the body’s ability to heal and strengthen itself. Both In-Person or from the comfort of your home, get started with your Nutrition Plan Now. Learn More Here!