Here is a list of ten heart-healthy foods along with alternatives for each, supported by evidence from medical journals. Please note that it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian for personalized guidance.
-
Salmon (or Fatty Fish)
-
Common Choice: Grilled salmon
-
Healthier Option: Mackerel
-
Source: “Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Cardiovascular Disease” – American Heart Association (https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.187998)
365 by Whole Foods Market, Supplements – EFAs, Fish Oil (100% Wild Caught), 100 Count 0 $9.49
2. Oats (or Whole Grains)
-
-
-
Common Choice: Instant oatmeal
-
Healthier Option: Steel-cut oats
-
-
Source: “Whole Grains and Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” – The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/100/1/256/4576477)
3. Blueberries (or Berries)
-
-
-
-
Common Choice: Blueberry muffin
-
Healthier Option: Fresh blueberries
-
Source: “Dietary flavonoid intake and incidence of erectile dysfunction” – The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/103/2/534/4564593)
-
-
-
Zazzee USDA Organic Blueberry 10:1 Extract, 5000 mg Strength, 120 Vegan Capsules, 4 Month Supply, Concentrated and Standardized 10X Whole Fruit Extract, 100% Vegetarian, All-Natural and Non-GMO – $18.02
4. Almonds (or Nuts)
-
-
Common Choice: Roasted and salted almonds
-
Healthier Option: Raw almonds
-
Source: “Nut Consumption and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease, Total Cancer, All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality” – New England Journal of Medicine (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1307352)
-
Blue Diamond Almonds Whole Natural Raw Snack Nuts, 40 Oz Resealable Bag (Pack of 1), $11.63
5. Olive Oil (or Healthy Oils)
-
-
Common Choice: Regular olive oil
-
Healthier Option: Extra virgin olive oil
-
Source: “Olive oil consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes in US women” – The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/92/6/1476/4597545)
-
Pompeian USDA Organic Robust Extra Virgin Olive Oil, First Cold Pressed, Full-Bodied Flavor, Perfect for Salad Dressings & Marinades, 16 FL. OZ. – $5.93
6. Spinach (or Leafy Greens)
-
-
Common Choice: Creamed spinach
-
Healthier Option: Fresh spinach salad
-
Source: “Intake of Fruit and Vegetables and Risk of Ischemic Stroke in a Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies” – Neurology (https://n.neurology.org/content/83/5/427)
-
KOYAH – Organic USA Grown Spinach Powder (Equivalent to 25 Cups Fresh): Freeze-dried, Whole-Leaf Powder – $21.24
7. Avocado (or Healthy Fats)
-
-
Common Choice: Avocado on white bread
-
Healthier Option: Avocado on whole grain bread
-
Source: “Avocado Consumption and Risk Factors for Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” – The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/107/4/523/4964675)
BetterBody Foods Refined Non-GMO Cooking Oil, Kosher, Keto and Paleo Diet Friendly, for High-Heat Cooking, 100% Pure Avocado Oil, 1 Liter, 33.8 Fl Oz – $15.18
8. Broccoli (or Cruciferous Vegetables)
-
-
Common Choice: Boiled broccoli
-
Healthier Option: Steamed broccoli
-
Source: “Cruciferous Vegetable Intake Is Inversely Associated with Lung Cancer Risk among Current Nonsmoking Men in the Japan Public Health Center (JPHC) Study” – The Journal of Nutrition (https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/138/2/304/4670260)
-
KOYAH – Organic USA Grown Broccoli Powder (1 Scoop Equivalent to 1/4 Cup Fresh): 30 Scoops, Freeze-dried, Whole-Vegetable Powder -$25.49
9. Quinoa (or Whole Grains)
-
-
Common Choice: White rice
-
Healthier Option: Quinoa
-
Source: “Whole grain, bran, and germ intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: a prospective cohort study and systematic review” – PLoS Medicine (https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002079)
-
BetterBody Foods Organic Quinoa, 3 Lb
10. Tomatoes (or Vegetables)
-
Common Choice: Tomato ketchup
-
Healthier Option: Fresh tomatoes
-
Source: “Dietary Tomato Powder Inhibits High-Fat Diet-Promoted Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Alterations in the Gut Microbiota in Mice” – Cancer Prevention Research (https://cancerpreventionresearch.aacrjournals.org/content/11/12/797)