According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., which means that focusing on your heart health is essential to living a longer, healthier life. There are various ways to improve your heart health, like reducing stress, getting more sleep, and exercising. Nutrition also plays a key role in keeping your heart healthy. Unfortunately, people often equate heart-healthy recipes with boring, bland meals. But there are plenty of foods and recipes that are as delicious as they are beneficial for your ticker!
The big thing to remember is that there's no one "right" way to eat for heart health, according to Rachael Hartley, RD.
So "instead of stressing over individual foods, think about the big picture of your eating pattern." "Think of ways to choose more heart-healthy fats, like olive oil, nuts and seeds, and avocado, eat fatty fish more often, increase intake of whole grains and other high fiber carbohydrate foods, and eat more fruits and veggies," Hartley tells Woman's Day.
These heart-healthy recipes include everything from fish-forward dishes to colorful vegetable combinations to simple salads. And don't worry, most of them look like they took much more time and effort to make than they actually do — you don't have to be a pro in the kitchen to indulge in these heart-friendly meals.
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1
Sheet Pan Chickpea Chicken
This recipe has chickpeas and sweet peppers which are packed with heart-healthy protein and vitamins. And it can all be cooked on one sheet which means fewer dishes and less fuss.
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2
Oven-Roasted Salmon with Charred Lemon Vinaigrette
Salmon is known for being light and heart healthy, but this recipe does not skimp out on big bold flavors.
Get the Oven-Roasted Salmon with Charred Lemon Vinaigrette recipe.
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3
Chicken Kebabs
Chicken has fewer saturated fats than red meats, which is why it's a healthier choice of meat for your heart health. These simple chicken kebabs can be thrown on the grill and whipped up in a jiffy.
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4
Shrimp Scampi with Zoodles
Loaded with lean protein from the shrimp and green veggies from the zoodles, this dish is as tasty as it is healthy.
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5
Morning Burritos With Salsa Verde
These burritos get plenty of protein from the refried beans and eggs, which will help you feel satisfied till lunch.
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6
Hot Honey-Roasted Salmon and Radishes
Salmon is a great part of a healthy diet for a variety of reasons. Not only is it high in protein, vitamins and minerals, but it also has omega-3 fatty acids that are known for being "brain food."
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7
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Ditch white rice for this low-carb veggie option that's tastier than takeout. Plus, it's less than 300 calories.
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8
Apricot-Glazed Chicken and Corn
This zesty chicken dish only takes half an hour to make and it's sweet and spicy goodness will quickly make it a family favorite.
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9
Grilled Fish Tacos
Swap ground beef for fish to make this heart-healthy. Plus, the pineapples give this taco recipe a little something sweet.
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10
Fish Chowder Sheet Pan Bake
The bacon and potatoes mixture gives this fresh, heart-healthy cod dish additional smoky flavor.
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11
Turkey Burgers and Slaw with Sweet Potato Chips
Packed with good-for-you spices, these turkey patties, topped with a sweet and crunchy apple and cabbage slaw, are a healthy alternative to red meat.
Get the Turkey Burgers and Slaw with Sweet Potato Chips recipe.
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12
Grilled Eggplant Parmesan Pizza
Indulge your pizza craving with this delicious and healthy pizza that spotlights grilled eggplant and tomatoes.
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13
Grilled Squash Garlic Bread
If you're craving hearty pizza, satisfy your tastebuds with this fresh veggie version.
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14
Salmon with Creamy Feta Cucumbers
The perfectly seasoned salmon and whipped feta that coats the cucumbers will leave your tastebuds singing.
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15
Pasta With Walnut Pesto and Peas
Dry white wine and lemon give this nutty pesto-covered farfalle and peas an added kick. Plus, it has 6 g of fiber per serving.
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16
Tilapia with Tomatoes and Pepper Relish
We all know that tilapia is high in protein and good-for-you vitamins, but when it's coated in this spicy pepper relish, all you'll be thinking about is how tasty it is.
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17
Chicken Salad Collard Wrap
Ditch the typical processed flour tortilla and use a big collard green leaf for these chicken salad wraps.
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18
Butternut Squash and Turmeric Soup
Add turmeric to your traditional butternut squash soup for some heart-healthy benefits. Curcumin, the main antioxidant in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce oxidation, which may contribute to heart disease.
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19
Baked Chicken Cutlets with Pineapple Rice
Typical chicken gets a boost from Asian-inspired ingredients, like ginger and cilantro. According to a study published in Nutrition, daily ginger consumption was associated with a 13% lower risk of coronary heart disease.
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20
Pear & Walnut Salad
Keep it light with this flavorful salad featuring walnuts, celery, and olive oil. According to WebMD, walnuts are one of the best nuts for your heart health, because they can lower cholesterol, reduce oxidative stress, and decrease inflammation.
