When the heat of the summer becomes overwhelming, eating light, fulfilling, and delicious food that is good for hearts and health. When it is dinner time, the best foods to pile on the plate are fruits, fish and nuts, all perfect for filling the belly and keeping the heart healthy.
Fruits
Fruits are often associated with summertime. The best fruits for the heart are raspberries. They are stuffed full of antioxidants and fiber, which help the heart work at its best. If there aren’t any raspberries available, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries make a wonderful choice. The easiest recipe for a fruit heart healthy meal is a fruit salad. Simply dice up a combination of berries, chill and enjoy the summer’s bounty. If a fruit salad doesn’t sound appealing, adding fresh fruit to yogurt can make a sweet parfait that is light and filling.
Fish
Because of their light flavor and how easy it is to cook, fish is a popular summer food. Fish, such as salmon, is a great source of omega 3’s. This particular fatty acid is good for lowering the amount of bad fat in the body, leading to healthier hearts. Shrimp is a wonderful heart healthy choice, but only if it is consumed in small amounts a week. Tuna and trout are an excellent choice for meals and can be easily baked. Top the fish with a fruit salsa to give the heart an extra boost of antioxidants. Fish can be an easy addition to any summertime meal.
Nuts
Often overlooked, nuts are a great thing to add to a summertime recipe. Walnuts are full of good fat and can reduce the harmful effects of bad fats. Many nuts are imbued with Omega 3’s, which are necessary for a healthy heart. A sprinkle of nuts on top of many meals such as fish or salads, adds an extra crunch and another dose of vitamins to keep a senior’s heart in great condition. Nuts are a great summertime food since they can be eaten raw or lightly toasted in healthy coconut oil.
Chocolate
Dark chocolate, or chocolate that has not been sweetened, is another item that is rich in antioxidants, making this particular sweet good for the heart. Antioxidants help rebuild damage done by outside forces. Milk chocolate is not a substitute because in the process of cooking and sweetening process, many of the antioxidants are loss and are not as strong. Dark chocolate is delicious when combined with nuts and fruits, doubling its strength of a healthy heart for the loved ones in your life.
Resveratrol
Not a word that most people know, resveratrol is a compound that is good for the heart. It is found in many summertime favorite foods such as grapes, pistachios as well as red and white wines. By adding one of these treats to one or more meals in the day, the heart will reap the benefits of this supplement. Resveratrol is an antioxidant that boosts the way the heart functions and the blood flows in the body.
Fresh fruits, light meats such as fish and nuts are all a wonderful addition to meals for the summer. Not only will the loved ones in your life love the lovely flavors these products bring, but their heart will be thankful for the benefits it will reap from these heart friendly meals.