Posted on 03/23/2009 12:33:24 PM PDT by JoeProBono
Simple food choices go a long way when it comes to your heart's health. Focusing on fresh foods full of heart-healthy fats and antioxidants can decrease your risk of developing heart disease and cut your chances of a heart attack.
These 10 foods will help keep your ticker in top shape. Oatmeal Start your day with a steaming bowl of oats, which are full of omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and potassium. This fiber-rich superfood can lower levels of LDL (or bad) cholesterol and help keep arteries clear. Opt for coarse or steel-cut oats over instant varieties -- the coarse and steel-cut contain more fiber -- and top your bowl off with a banana for another four grams of fiber.
Salmon Super-rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon can effectively reduce blood pressure and keep clotting at bay. Aim for two servings per week, which may reduce your risk of dying of a heart attack by up to one-third. "Salmon contains the carotenoid astaxanthin, which is a very powerful antioxidant," says cardiologist Stephen T. Sinatra, MD, the author of "Lower Your Blood Pressure In Eight Weeks." But be sure to choose wild salmon over farm-raised fish, which can be packed with insecticides, pesticides, and heavy metals. Not a fan of salmon? Other oily fish like mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines will give your heart the same boost.
Avocado Add a bit of avocado to a sandwich or spinach salad to increase the amount of heart-healthy fats in your diet. Packed with monounsaturated fat, avocados can help lower LDL levels while raising the amount of HDL cholesterol in your body. Health.com: What puts you at risk for high cholesterol?
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
There are a lot of folks who like them rare, but some like them medium well.
Definitely, I can't cook steel cut oats in 1:30 minutes microwave or not.
I thought I saw that Trader Joe's or someone like that has come up with a quicker cooking steel cut oatmeal. Not exactly instant, but a lot faster than 30 minutes.
BFL
When using leftovers we discovered the joy of pepperoni quesadillas. (They really are very good!)
Food porn!
Yeah, where’s my dang nacho cheese doritos?
I put raw oats in my mouth drink water to mix it and swallow.
Yes I am that busy.
You got that right! ;0)
Love that fishing graphic...makes me want to go fishin’. : )
Thanks!
It's as deadly as the dreaded dihydrogen monoxide.
I'm with you. There's nothing like the buttery flavor of an avacado at perfect ripeness. Yum.
Maybe "sugar free imitation Maple Syrup", but it ain't Maple Syrup.
I'll take the real thing any day, even if I have to pay more for it.
We’re hoping to go in a few days...can’t wait.
Shirley, you jest! Seriesly? I'd better change my diet in a hurry. If it's not too late.
I’m a fan of fresh made Guacc. YUM.
100% of the people that breath air will DIE!
100% of the people who have eaten Avocados have died.
I love avocados, and make a mean guacamole, but have always wondered about them... they are deadly to some reptiles and parrots.
We still eat them, but I eye them warily and always use a sharp knife, not a spoon, to carve them up, lest they attack.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.