A Berry Sweet Way to Support Your Heart This Month

-

 Valentine's Day is a day all about love, but there are foods that love and support you every day! February is American Heart Month making it the perfect time to show your heart some extra love through food. These pink and red foods support your heart, mood, energy, and overall health. 

🍓Berries: strawberries and raspberries are rich in antioxidants to fight inflammation and support heart health. They are naturally sweet making them the perfect addition to any sweet treat, yogurt, smoothies, or paired with dark chocolate! 

🫜Root Vegetables: beets and radishes are low calorie vegetables packed with antioxidants, fiber, and minerals that support heart health, digestion, and the immune system. Nitrates in beets can help relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure! 

🍒Other red fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, cherries, red onions, and red bell peppers contain lycopene which helps improve heart health, decrease the risk of stroke, decrease the risk of some cancers, and increase brain health. 

🩷 Start Your Day With Something Pink 

Raspberry Chia Pudding 

-chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants that are great for heart health by reducing blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. 

1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries

3/4 cup almond milk

1/4 cup chia seeds

1tbsp maple syrup 

1/2 tsp vanilla extract 

    1. blend raspberries, almond milk, maple syrup, and vanilla in a blender until smooth 

    2. pour into a bowl, add the chia seeds, and stir 

    3. place in the fridge for 1 hour or overnight 

    4. enjoy plain or with your favorite toppings. 


Other Meal Ideas:

Lunch: 

    -top salads with strawberries, tomatoes, pickled red onions, or red bell peppers to make it festive! extra points for a raspberry vinaigrette! 

    - heart shaped sandwiches and tomato soup 

Dinner:

    -pink pasta: mix equal parts marinara and alfredo sauce to make a pink sauce, or blend beets into a cream based sauce for extra nutrients and a pretty pink color. use heart shaped noodles!

    -heart shaped pizza 

Sweet Treats:

    -dark chocolate covered strawberries

    -greek yogurt with berries and dark chocolate chips 


Chia Recipe: https://choosingchia.com/raspberry-chia-pudding/

Source: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/eat-the-rainbow-for-good-health


-AH

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What the Yolk Color of Eggs Represent

-
Image
Why do Egg Yolks Come in Many Different Colors?      Egg yolks can range in color from pale yellow to deep orange. But why? There are many misconceptions that egg yolk color represents nutritional value or quality of the eggs, but this is a myth. The color indicates the diet of the hen. A light yellow yolk means the hen ate a wheat based diet. Yolks that are deeper orange color means that the hen ate a diet that was high in carotenoids. Carotenoids are a red pigment found in plants. Dark yolks are common in free range eggs, especially during the summer months. It comes down to the consumers preferred color. Many consumers want their eggs to be bright colored eggs, but it does not mean that the egg has more nutritional value than the other. The Hens Diet      There are certain foods that hens should avoid eating to avoid an off flavor in eggs. Garlic and onions are the two most common culprits that may impact egg flavor. A few other foods should be avoided b...
Read more

From Patch to Plate

-
Image
                                                                                                                          As the weather gets cooler and the leaves start to change various shades of yellow, orange, and brown, we start to see skeletons, witches, spiders, bats, and pumpkins decorating streets and homes. However, not all these decorations are just for show, some make tasty dishes for a nice fall treat.   Pumpkins, although the most popular, are just one variety of winter squash. Winter squash are uniquely beautiful, showcasing a vibrant array of colors ranging from yellow to orange to deep green, and come in all kinds of shapes, some smooth and round, while ot...
Read more

Hydration at the Tailgate: Don’t Let Dehydration Sack You

-
Image
  Hydration at the Tailgate: Don’t Let Dehydration Sack You Fall Saturdays = football, food, and hours of hanging out with friends. But let’s be real: between the salty snacks, long hours outside, and maybe a few adult beverages, staying hydrated can fall off the radar. The problem? Dehydration can sneak up on you and leave you feeling drained before the game even kicks off. The good news? With a little planning, you can keep your energy up and still enjoy everything game day has to offer. Pregame Like a Pro Think of water as part of your tailgate prep. If you show up already dehydrated, you’re starting from behind. Experts from UNC Health recommend drinking plenty of fluids a day or two before outdoor events and sipping water steadily throughout the day — not just chugging when you feel thirsty Chug a full water bottle (16–20 oz) before you head out. Bonus points if you throw in an electrolyte packet , like Liquid IV packet, a Nuun hydration tablet,...
Read more