Your heart is one of the most important organs in your body, so it’s important to treat it right. Hectic weekday routines can leave you reaching for frozen, take-out or drive-thru options, but these may leave you short on nutritional value. Instead, fill your fridge with lean cuts of skinless meat, fish, beans and a colorful selection of fruits and vegetables. These options will help you get the nutrition you need to take care of your heart, veins and body.

The 10 best foods for heart health

Add these foods into your diet for great taste and better health.

• Oats
  Steel-cut or old-fashioned oats are nourishing whole grains and a great source of vitamin B1, magnesium, zinc, protein, copper and cholesterol-lowering fiber. Oats can help lower your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol levels and blood pressure, which help keep your heart healthy.
• Flaxseed
  Double down on your oatmeal breakfast by adding a sprinkle of flaxseeds. These seeds are packed with both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, so a little can go a long way for your heart health.
• Salmon
  This cold-water fish is packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep your cholesterol and blood pressure in check.
• Avocados
  A delicious addition to sandwiches or salads, this fruit helps lower LDL levels (‘bad’ cholesterol), while raising the amount of HDL levels (‘good’ cholesterol) in your body.
• Olive oil
  Trade in your stick of butter for heart-healthy olive oil when cooking. Extra virgin or virgin varieties are the least processed and contain the highest levels of heart-healthy fats.
• Nuts
  Omega-3 fatty acids make nuts a terrific go-to snack for heart health. They are also a good source of fiber.
• Blueberries
  Not only do these berries help improve memory, they contain high levels of fiber, potassium, folate, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. These nutrients and vitamins help widen your arteries and keep your blood circulating smoothly.
• Legumes
  Lentils, chickpeas, black beans, and kidney beans add heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and calcium to your diet.
• Spinach
  This leafy green vegetable is a powerhouse high in folate and iron, both of which help fight against disease and protect your heart.
• Soy protein
  A diet rich in soy protein can help prevent cardiovascular disease due to their rich fatty acid, protein and isoflavone content. These help lower triglyceride and ‘bad’ cholesterol levels in your body.

To learn more about heart-healthy food options and how to improve your vascular health, contact the experienced physicians at Baton Rouge Vascular Specialty Center. Call (225) 769-4493 to request an appointment today.