The 9 Foods Your Heart Loves Most

Foods high in saturated fat—think butter, cream, and red meat—are a diet disaster when you’re trying to eat heart smart. Instead, choose foods that boost overall health and help keep your heart functioning at its best, such as foods containing flavonoids (think blueberries and cocoa) and foods with healthy fats. A heart-healthy diet should include whole, fresh foods—foods that aren’t processed and packaged. Learn about the specifics that make up a tasty list.

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  1. Lean Protein

  Choosing leaner cuts of meat can help you manage your cholesterol and weight, which promotes heart health. Health experts and dietitians often recommend skinless chicken, fish, and lean cuts of beef (those without the white marbling of fat). Research suggests that lean pork can also be on the list. Aim for three to six ounces of lean protein daily. The actual portion should be approximately the size of a deck of playing cards. 
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  2. Fruits and Vegetables

  For the best heart health, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends seven to nine total daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Keep in mind that your number of servings may vary depending on your calorie needs. And serving sizes vary with your fruit and vegetable choices. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors ensures that you’ll get a range of nutrients plus plenty of fiber.
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  3. Whole Grains

  Like fruits and vegetables, whole grains are rich in nutrients as well as dietary fiber. Fiber from whole grains is linked to lower heart disease risk factors—your risk goes down as your fiber consumption goes up. Plan on six servings a day for a 1,600-calorie diet or up to eight servings for a 2,000-calorie diet. A serving can be a slice of whole-grain bread, a ½ cup of brown rice, or one ounce of dry cereal.
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  4. Healthy Fats

  Your body needs some fat to work well. But you want “healthy” fats, such as those found in plant-based oils. This includes monounsaturated canola, olive, peanut and sunflower oils, and polyunsaturated soybean, corn and safflower oils. Remember that you only need a small amount of fat each day, about two to three servings. A serving is only one teaspoon of oil.
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  5. Fish

  People who live in regions where a diet rich in fatty ???​fish is common, such as Scandinavia, seem to have a lower risk of heart disease. You, too, can gain this benefit, which comes from omega-3 fatty acids. Start by eating fish, such as tuna, salmon, sardines and mackerel on a regular basis—two to three times a week. PREVIOUS SLIDE SAID BACK-OFF FATS, CONSIDER A CLARIFICATION
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  6. Nuts

  Research shows that people who snack on nuts—as little as a quarter-ounce a day—have lower cholesterol levels. However, it's wise to portion out your nut snacks so you don’t overdo it, because their calories can add up quickly. Aim for about a ¼ cup to benefit from the fiber and healthy fat without consuming too many calories.
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  7. Chocolate

  Regularly eating small amounts of dark chocolate may help prevent heart disease and other chronic conditions, such as diabetes. Cocoa, the main ingredient in dark chocolate, is the key to its heart-healthy effects. Although researchers are still learning about chocolate’s health effects, you can enjoy a nibble here and there. Just remember that too much chocolate adds calories and fat, which can lead to weight gain.
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  8. Tea

  Like chocolate, other specific foods and beverages may also be beneficial because they contain flavonoids. Black tea and green tea, whether hot or cold, are rich with flavonoids, as are darkly colored berries, such as blueberries. Flavonoid-rich foods and beverages may help reduce your heart disease risk. Just be judicious about sweeteners because sugar adds unwanted calories.
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  9. Spices

  National recommendations are to consume 1,500 grams or less of salt a day to guard against high blood pressure. So, rather than salting foods, experiment with a variety of spices to add flavor. A recent study found that capsaicinoids, which give chili peppers their heat, might be especially good for heart health—so pass the cayenne!
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  Get started now

  If you need more help with nutrition, ask your primary care provider to recommend a dietitian. You can search for a registered dietitian (RD) on Healthgrades.com. Also, try the American Heart Association’s online personal calorie number tool. Using personal information, such as your height, weight, activity level, and typical food choices and habits, it determines what your daily caloric intake should be. It also recommends how much fat and salt to include in your diet.