Eating healthy does more than help to keep you in shape. For starters, it also lowers your chance of getting heart disease, a condition that’s responsible for 1 in 4 adult deaths in the United States each year.

The good news is that you can begin to lower your risk for heart disease as soon as your next mealtime rolls around. That’s because a heart-healthy diet can reduce your risk factors by improving cholesterol levels, lowering blood pressure and helping you lose weight.

So, if you want to improve your heart health (and your overall health), read on to learn which heart-healthy foods to add to your grocery shopping list and which foods to avoid.

Focus on eating heart-healthy foods diet in your diet

Eating fresh food and minimally processed food is one of the best things you can do to keep your heart healthy. The dietary guidance from the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends eating nutrient-rich foods that are high in vitamins and minerals such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and healthy sources of proteins.

Heart-healthy vegetables

Veggies should make up the largest part of your heart-healthy diet plan. They're packed with antioxidants and have been shown to lower heart risks. And because they are high in fiber, you’ll feel fuller longer, making it easier to cut back on higher calorie foods that aren’t so good for you. Veggies also support your mental health. Leafy greens, for example, are a fabulous source of folate (vitamin B9) and magnesium – nutrients that can help with anxiety and avoid the negative effects of stress on your heart.

Here are some top vegetable choices for heart health:

  • Asparagus
  • Broccoli
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Cucumbers
  • Eggplant
  • Green beans
  • Leafy greens
  • Mushrooms
  • Okra
  • Onions
  • Radishes
  • Tomatoes
  • Zucchini

Heart-healthy whole grains

Whole grains contain unique disease-fighting antioxidants that you won’t find in refined grains or other foods. Plus, they’re naturally high in soluble fiber and can help you lower cholesterol naturally. The goal is to eat about 3-5 servings of whole grains each day. An easy way to do this is to swap in whole grain versions of rice, pasta and bread.

These are excellent whole grains to include in your diet:

  • Barley
  • Brown rice
  • Cassava
  • Corn, including popcorn
  • Couscous
  • Quinoa
  • Oats
  • Wild rice
  • 100% whole wheat products

Heart-healthy fruits

Like vegetables, fruits are filled with vitamins and minerals that can protect against stress and inflammation. And guess what? Fruits are also filled with lots of fiber. As a bonus for people with a sweet tooth, they’re naturally sweet.

The best fruits for heart health include:

  • Apples
  • Bananas
  • Raspberries, strawberries and blueberries
  • Citrus fruit such as oranges, lemons and limes
  • Kiwi

Heart-healthy meats and proteins

By replacing red meat and high-fat meats with lean protein, you may be able to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Nuts and fish are especially beneficial for your health because they are filled with helpful omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and healthy fats, which help curb inflammation, making them good for your heart. A bonus benefit is that fish is also a great food for your brain and can reduce your chance of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in later life.

Protein options for heart health:

  • Atlantic- or Pacific-caught salmon
  • Canned light tuna
  • Herring
  • Beans
  • Eggs
  • Lean poultry
  • Lentils
  • Tofu

Heart-healthy oils and fats

A healthy diet isn’t a no-fat diet. Instead, it’s a good-fat diet. But what exactly is a good fat?

You may have heard that olive oil is one of the heathiest oils out there. Why is that? Is it because of calories? No, all oils have about the same calories. The difference is in the types of fats – olive oil contains high levels of the healthier fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) and very little bad fat (saturated or trans).

In fact, a report from the American Heart Association shows that replacing oils high in saturated fats with ones that are high in unsaturated fats can reduce the risk of heart disease and is one of the ways to prevent heart attacks.

Some other examples of healthy oils and fats include:

  • Avocado
  • Hummus
  • Nuts
  • Seeds
  • Olive oil
  • Other vegetable oils, including corn and canola
  • Oil-based dressing

Foods that aren’t so good for your heart

We covered foods that are beneficial to eat for heart health, but what about ones that aren’t?

First, know that not all processed foods are bad – after all, that bag of frozen broccoli has gone through some level of processing. But many packaged foods are ultra-processed and contain things your body doesn’t need like lots of added sugar, artificial ingredients, salt and bad fats. At the same time, highly processed foods have little of the good stuff like whole grains, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

We get that it’s tough to transition to fresh and homemade foods for every meal, and no one is expecting you to give up your favorite foods entirely. Instead, try to make balanced choices and pay attention to the types of fats that are in your food.

Foods with trans fats

Trans fat is the worst type of fat for your body because it increases bad cholesterol while also decreasing good cholesterol. Artificial trans fats used to be common in processed foods, but they’re no longer being added to products by food companies. This is because the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) banned companies from using partially hydrogenated oils in foods. However, trans fats are naturally found in small amounts in some meats, dairy products and cooking oils, so some foods still contain them.

Some foods with saturated fats

A small amount of healthy oils is an important part of your diet – they help your body to absorb different minerals and support brain and nerve function. But not all oils are equally healthy.

These oils are on the list of foods cardiologists say to avoid or use sparingly:

  • Oils such as coconut and palm oils
  • Butter
  • Shortening
  • Lard and bacon fat

For snacks, stay away from chips, fries or buttered popcorn. And remember, fats should only be a small part of your diet, so try to steer clear of fried foods.

Learning how to read nutrition information

No two packaged food products are alike. For example, different brands of nuts can have different fat or sodium content, depending on how they are processed and what, if any, oils are used. Plain yogurt and Greek yogurt have very different amounts of protein. A granola bar and whole oats have very different levels of sugars and fats.

Because of this, understanding food nutrition and how to read labels can help you make healthier choices that can lead to real health benefits like reduced blood pressure.

How to read a nutrition label

  1. The nutrients listed on the label are based on one serving size. Often serving sizes are smaller than you’d think, so it’s a good idea to measure.

  2. Calories are a unit of measurement that tells us the amount of energy in one serving. Your body uses calories for energy and to be active. Everybody uses a different number of calories. To control your weight, the goal is to balance what you eat with the amount of energy you need.

  3. Use this section to help ensure you’re not getting too much or too little of certain nutrients. All nutrients are shown as a percent of the daily value. The daily values are reference amounts for how much of the nutrients you should consume or not exceed each day. Depending on the nutrient, daily value is shown in grams (g), milligrams (mg) or micrograms (mcg). When choosing foods, look for fewer than 2g of saturated fat, no trans fats, less than 250mg of sodium and little to no added sugar per serving.

  4. Vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium are important nutrients, but most Americans don’t get enough of them. That’s why these nutrients are called out on the label. If it seems like you’re not able to reach the recommended daily value of these nutrients with your diet, it’s worth talking to your doctor about taking vitamin supplements.

  5. This description explains that the values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your calorie needs may be different based on factors such as age, gender, activity level and genetics. This also means that you may need more or less of the nutrients listed.

Read and rate the ingredients

In general, products that have fewer ingredients – and ones you can pronounce – are less processed and better for you. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

  • Does this food contain more than five ingredients?
  • Does it contain unhealthy fats like coconut oil?
  • Does it include whole grains like oats, barley and wheat flour? If so, are they near the top of the ingredient list?
  • Do you know what the ingredients are?

Be aware of confusing product information

Some food products make misleading health claims on their packaging. They’ll say things like “low fat,” “multigrain” or “made with whole grains.” It’s easy to think that these foods may be great heart-healthy options, but these products may or may not be good choices for you. The only way to know for sure is to look at the nutrition information and the ingredients.

Know the daily values for a heart smart diet

Try to focus on heart-healthy numbers for the following:

  • Dietary fiber: Eat at least 25-30 grams of dietary fiber each day.
  • Sugar: Limit the amount of added sugar you eat or drink.
  • Salt (sodium): Limit to 1,500-2,000 milligrams each day.
  • Fats: Aim for no trans fats and less than 13 grams of saturated fat each day. There’s no exact limit for the healthier monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Just remember, all fats are high in calories so don’t eat too much.

Creating a heart healthy diet plan

So, you know to eat more fruits, vegetables and grains, and you know how to find out the nutrition in your foods. But what’s the next step? A good place to start is with a little planning and shopping for the right foods.

Get inspired by heart-healthy diet or eating plans

If you’d feel more comfortable following a specific diet plan, there are a few that the American Heart Association says score relatively high for heart health, including:

  • DASH diet – DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. So, it’s no surprise that this diet takes top marks for heart health. This diet includes a mix of the heart-healthy food on our list. Even better, there’s a wealth of information (and recipes) available on this diet – a good place to start is the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute website.
  • Pescetarian diet – This diet includes plant-based foods, fish and seafood, but does not include meat from poultry or mammals. As mentioned above, fish is good for heart health, especially if you choose types of fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon.
  • Mediterranean diet – The Mediterranean diet is a way of eating that favors olive oil, nuts, whole grains and vegetables. Also, fish and poultry take the place of red meats. Based on numerous studies, people who eat a Mediterranean diet have a longer life expectancy.
  • Vegetarian diet – This diet includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, dairy and sometimes eggs. It doesn’t include fish or meat. A vegetarian diet can be very heart-healthy because it’s full of nutrients, fiber and plant-based protein.

It’s also important to note that paleolithic and keto diets don’t follow heart-healthy eating guidelines. While you be tempted to try them to lose weight, it’s usually not worth it. Even if you’re able to lose weight, the weight will likely come back within a year. If you’d like to lose weight for medical reasons, make an appointment with your primary care doctor.

Shop with a heart-healthy grocery list

Don’t go to the grocery store unprepared! If you eat fast food for lunch every day, plan out heart-healthy options for the week instead. After all, if you don’t have anything in the fridge that’s healthy – and that you want to eat – you’ll likely find yourself in the drive-through once again.

Then, when you’re shopping:

  • Load up on fruits, veggies and whole grains.
  • Buy most of your food from the outside edges of the store. This is where they keep the fresh foods.
  • Look for foods with fewer ingredients – and ones you can pronounce.

Heart-healthy cooking tips

No one expects you to become a healthy eating machine overnight. The good news is that even making small steps can put you on the path to better health. Here are some examples to help you get started:

  • Lead with fruits and vegetables – They should fill half of your plate at each meal.
  • Use vegetable oils – They’re a better choice than butter, lard or tropical oils.
  • Don’t fry – It’s easy to get too much fat and calories, even if you’re using good fats. Instead try baking, boiling, broiling, roasting or steaming.
  • Substitute lower-fat options – When cooking, swap full-fat dairy for fat-free or low-fat versions or use egg whites instead of the whole eggs.
  • Pack in more fiber – When baking bread, replace half of the flour with whole wheat or almond flour. If you’re making a stir-fry, opt for brown rice instead of white.
  • Savor the flavor – Use more herbs and spices and less salt when cooking.
  • Power-up your protein – Instead of a steak, choose an oily fish like salmon for a boost in healthy fats from omega-3 fatty acids while also reducing saturated fats.

Food swaps that can make a big difference

Replacing your favorite meals or snacks for a more heart-healthy option may not always be easy. Start small with one or two replacements each week and tweak recipes to find flavors and textures that make you feel satisfied. With time, you’ll find your new favorite go-to heart healthy options. Here are some ideas:

  • Try oatmeal for breakfast and skip donuts or pastries. This swap increases the amount of heart-healthy whole grains while also eliminating saturated and trans fats.
  • Instead of eating hot dogs or deli meat for lunch, make a trip to the salad bar and load up your plate with nutritious veggies. And to get heart-healthy fats, opt for an oil-based vinaigrette instead of creamier dressings.
  • Eat unsalted nuts instead of chips, fries or buttered popcorn to fill up with good fats and protein while reducing salt and bad fats.
  • Drink water and other calorie-free beverages to cut down on calories.

Finally, cut yourself some slack

It can be hard to make changes to your diet. And being heart-healthy doesn’t mean that you can never eat a hamburger, a piece of pizza or a chocolate sundae. It just means you shouldn’t eat them every day or even every week.

When you eat not-so-great food, the FDA recommends dietary tradeoffs. So, if you eat a breakfast that’s high in saturated fat, choose foods that are lower in saturated fats throughout the rest of the day. It’s all about balance and finding a healthy diet you can stick with.

And if you have a bad food day, tell yourself it’s okay and move on. You can do better tomorrow.

Help for a heart-healthy lifestyle

Eating right goes a long way toward a healthy heart but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Finding time for heart strengthening exercise is super important too – in fact, a heart-healthy diet combined with lifestyle changes like regular exercise have been shown to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease by up to 75%.

You’ll also want to watch risk factors such as high stress, diabetes and being overweight. And, if you smoke or vape, taking steps to quit is one of the best things you can do for your heart.

If you need help managing your risk factors – or figuring out what to eat – contact your primary care doctor.