FYUL: Heart Health

FYUL is a program focused on making it easy for you to find foods that are embedded with health benefits also known as functional foods that are important to your personal lifestyle!

Heart Health: Foods that are packed with Fiber and Heart Healthy Fats

Choosing foods that will benefit your heart is always a good idea! If you choose foods that are in their whole form such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts, beans, lean meats then you are taking the right steps. If you are not there yet it is not too late to make some small changes to make a positive impact. Keep in mind that while we can make choices about the foods we eat- we cannot choose or change our family health history or age, but that does not mean that you should not implement heart-healthy food choices!

Here are some tips to get you started!

• Choose nutrient-dense foods that are also a good source of fiber and antioxidants that have a protective effect on cells in the body. Nutrient-dense foods will also provide many other vitamins and minerals. Including whole grains (cereals, rice, pasta, and oatmeal), fruits, and vegetables at meals and snacks will help accomplish this.
• Choose foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids because that will help with reducing inflammation in the body. Consider incorporating foods such as wild salmon, tuna, flaxseeds/flax meal, and walnuts to have this benefit.
• Choose oils that are high in mono- and poly-unsaturated fats as these are good for your heart. You can find the best sources among olive oil, nuts, avocados, sunflower and safflower oils. Limit your intake of trans fats and saturated fats that are found in many processed foods (crackers, cookies and other packaged baked goods). Also keep in mind that although coconut oil may taste good and add flavor, use this tropical oil in moderation as it is high in saturated fat. Saturated fats have been found to raise blood cholesterol levels, therefore this can be harmful over time. 

Making heart-healthy choices is important at any age. It does not mean you have to remove foods you love, it simply means adding nutrient-rich foods into your day! The good news is that it includes treats such as dark chocolate, which is rich in antioxidants!

Here is a recipe that is a great way to start your day with heart healthy option. This is also a great snack option!

Overnight Oats

• ½ cup Quaker Oats
• ½ cup lowfat milk or a milk substitute
• ½ cup Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla)
• ¼ cup blueberries, raspberries or peaches
• 1 TBSP honey

Add Quaker Oats to your container, pour in milk, and add in fruit and Greek yogurt. Top with honey before refrigerating