Based on our culture, there are loads of unhealthy foods that are very popular. But beneath the sugary drinks and salty snacks lies some foods that are healthy for our heart and are very tasty as well.
Far Rockaway Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing would like to shine the spotlight on five of those foods.
- Salmon
Salmon is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for heart health. Choose wild salmon where you can because salmon get many of their nutrients from eating plankton. Farmed salmon eats food pellets and receive an artificial source of these nutrients, which aren’t as effective.
- Avocado
Avocados are high in calories, but luckily, it doesn’t take much to enjoy the health benefits of this fatty fruit. It only takes around one-quarter of an avocado to give you a boost from their monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. The chief benefit of avocados is that they lower LDL (bad cholesterol) levels in the blood.
- Berries
Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are rich in antioxidants, which help reduce the risk of both heart disease and some types of cancer. Other benefits: they are an excellent source of fiber and they are low-glycemic, which means that they won’t produce blood sugar spikes like other fruits do; these spikes can be dangerous for people with high or low glucose levels.
- Whole Grains
Whole grains have not gone through processes that strip them of things like the bran and germ, which give whole grains their nutritional benefits. The extra protein, vitamins and dietary fiber in whole grains will leave you feeling fuller than if you use two pieces of white bread on that sandwich.
- Oatmeal
You can’t go wrong by starting your day with a bowl of oatmeal (especially if you top it with berries!). Oatmeal reduces LDL along with apolipoprotein B, which carries LDL through the body. Oatmeal is also high in fiber, so it should leave you feeling satisfied until lunchtime.
To learn more about Far Rockaway Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://far-rockaway-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org/.
