Great Foods for the Heart

Stock up on these heart-healthy food and keep those arteries-clogging food out of the way.

1. Salmon - very high in omega-3 fatty acids which lowers blood pressure and keeps clotting at bay
2. Oatmeal - eat this for breakfast because it is high in fibre and aids in reducing the bad cholesterol (LDL)
3. Olive Oil - this oil is full of mono-unsaturated fats which lowers LDL and reduces your risk of developing heart diseases
4. Avocado - this fruit is rich in monounsaturated fats which helps raise the HDL or the good cholesterol in your body
5. Nuts - area also great source of good fats. Have a palm-full serving of almonds, walnuts and macademia nuts to raise your HDL
6. Berries - like blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries - these fruits are rich in anti-inflammatories which reduce your risk of cancer and heart ailments
7. Legumes - like lentils, chickpeas, black and red kidney beans are packed with soluble fibre, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids
8. Spinach - this green leafy vegetable is full of lutein, folate and potassium which makes your heart in top shape
9. Flaxseed - full of fibre and omega-3 fatty acids, great in combating the development of heart ailments
10. Soy - this may lower cholesterol and a great source of lean protein which is good for a healthy heart-diet

(source: Yahoo.com/Health.com)

Essential Fats

My husband and I just bought a kilo of tilapia a while ago. We love eating fish specially the one I mentioned. My daughter asked why we always have to eat fish at least twice or thrice in a week. I told her it is because fish contains essential fatty acids which are good for human consumption. I also "educated" her slightly on the benefits of duet dha which is good for developing babies. I told her that when she was still a baby, I always fed her and at the same time, consumed fish meat for brain and eyes development.

She was amazed. I think she will not mind having fish like salmon, herring, trout and other oily fish in her added on her regular meals.

Health Nut - Walnuts

Walnuts are one of the super foods. Walnuts are rich in fibre and this fibre stimulates the production of bile which draws out unwanted cholesterol in the liver. Walnuts also contain omega-3 fatty acids which are vital in the making of the positive type of cholesterol. This positive cholesterol aids in breaking down the bad cholesterol in our system.

Three oz. of walnuts a day can lessen the bad cholesterol. However, people with normal cholesterol level can take only as much as a handful the day before they plan to have a rich meal. Reason for that is because the fibre helps prevent the saturated fat from turning into unwanted cholesterol.