Lead a more heart-healthy lifestyle with these five quick and easy alternatives

Be on your way to a happier heart

Healthy breakfast of muesli, berries with yogurt and seeds on white background

UPDATED FEBRUARY 12, 2020 12:55 PM ESTFEB 12, 2020, 12:55 PM EST

It’s super important to be mindful of what we eat and how we eat. Incorporating more plant-based and heart-healthy foods can lead to a lot of overall benefits that can alter the way our body runs and feels. Making the switch to foods that richer in fiber and healthy fats can seem a bit daunting when you see all the information that is available to us on the web. We’ve gathered five heart-healthy quick alternatives that you can easily incorporate into your daily diet and what to keep in mind next time you’re at the grocery store!

Eating less saturated fats

Saturated fats can be found in fattier meats and high-fat dairy products — think pizzas, burgers and super-duper creamy sauces.

Good to include lean meats, lentils and nuts.

Reduce salt intake

ALWAYS read the Nutrition Label on the back of your food items. Did you know that some store-bought soups hold 600+ grams of sodium?

Buying tip: look for foods labeled “low-sodium” “no salt added.”

Get more fiber

Fiber is great for many reasons, but one of its most popular attributes is that it aids with digestion.

Incorporate more high-fiber foods like veggies, fruits and beans.

Incorporate good fats, like Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Cook oils like canola oil and flaxseed oil can help you with your daily intake over a long period of time.

Other sources of this heart-healthy fat are walnuts, salmon, lake trout, albacore tuna and eggs from chickens that were feed an Omega-3 rich diet.

Be careful about substituting fats with sugars and refined carbs

Make smart switches to some of your favorite foods. Don’t switch bacon at breakfast time for a sugary cereal, instead look into food substitutes that will still allow you certain dietary pleasures.

Skip the white bread and grab the multigrain loaf instead or switch up your soda or a flavored water.