3 Best Heart-Friendly Foods To Have in Your Kitchen

If you or a family member has a heart condition, there are some foods the doctor would surely want you to constantly have in your kitchen.

As food is a huge part of our general health, it is essential to eat foods that support our heart to prevent worsening of ailment and keep it healthy.

You're probably wondering what it really means by "heart-healthy" foods. There are some popular diets recommended by the American Heart Association, including the Mediterranean diet or the DASH diet.

You don't have to worry about the availability of these foods because you'll be surprised to know that many of them are your favorites and that they are definitely always on your list of 'to-buy' items from the grocery store.

Here are 3 of AllRecipes' recommended healthy foods based on the cardiologists' answers when they were asked what they usually stock in their fridge or kitchen to prepare quick, easy-to-prepare, and delicious meals for a healthy heart.

1. Olives

According to Satjit Bhusri, MD, the New York City-based Upper East Side Cardiology founder, "Olives filled with antioxidants, low in carbohydrates and they increase the levels of good cholesterol," not to mention, lower the risk of heart disease.

The medical professional shares, he enjoys snacking on olives for appetizers, and he also tosses them into entrees.

2. Salmon

Aventura, Florida-based Aventura Cardiovascular Center cardiologist Leonard Pianko, MD, recommends that we "go fish."

Salmon, he explains, is a staple in his household. It is one of the foods he highly recommends to his patients due to its "heart benefits and general appeal."

However, the cardiologist continues, if salmon is not your favorite fish, you can have any seafood or fatty fish type that has omega-3 fatty acids, which are very heart-friendly.

The recipe website also recommends trying heart-healthy recipes including "Fresh Salmon Cakes or Over-Baked Salmon with Herbs" by Chef John two times a week as it may help lower the risk of stroke and heart failure since the dishes lower total cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

3. Nuts and Seeds

Like Fruits and vegetables, our body gets the most nutritional benefits from mixing up our consumption of nuts and seeds.

Elizabeth Klodas, MD, FACC, says she always keeps "around a mixture of ground flax, chia, almonds, walnuts and oats."

Dr. Klodas, also the founder and chief medical officer of Step One Foods in Minneapolis, Minnesota adds, she frequently mixes her nut and seed blend with "a bit of chopped dried fruit for a DIY trail mix."

As a result, she's able to prepare a heart-healthy recipe that boosts fiber consumption to keep her satisfied longer after eating while delivering heart-friendly omega 3 fatty acids, disease-combatting antioxidants, "cholesterol-lowering plant sterols."

For maximum benefit, the doctor recommends that we should eat these nutrients over the course of the day. So, she adds, she tries to add seeds and nuts to her menu at least twice each day, for instance, as topping for yogurt and oatmeal, or even as add-ons to spaghetti sauce.

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