Don't Be Scared: Healthy Food - Health

You've probably thought about eating in the last few minutes if not right now. Food and eating preoccupies many people's minds. Whether you want to lose weight or not, diet changes can be hard to change. Familiarizing yourself with "health food" is the best way to get over the intimidation and begin helping your heart and body.

A healthy diet should always begin with a selection of natural foods. Fresh, whole foods are much healthier than food from a box. Fresh vegetables and fruits help keep your blood vessels strong and are essential to a heart-healthy diet. Most people regularly eat apples, bananas and oranges, but sometimes you need some delicious variety. According to some research, papaya and blueberries are two of the 25 most heart-healthy foods. Substitutions are often a good idea to add variety and increase your nutrient intake: sweet potatoes for white potatoes, spinach for lettuce. Don't be afraid to try ethnic dishes to have a new and tasty way to eat your produce. Now you're probably wondering where's the beef. No doubt you've heard bad things about meat and fish. The truth is that there are numerous protein options that are actually good for you. Fish like tuna and salmon are wonderful for their omega-3 fatty acids, good fats. Beans are also healthy sources of good fats, and nuts like almonds and walnuts have a lot of plant omega-3's. The nutrients in these proteins should be part of a well-balanced diet because they help protect your heart. Finally, remember to enjoy a few indulgences. I'm sure you were waiting to hear that good news. It is true that foods like red wine and dark chocolate can be good for you. Red wine and dark chocolate have nutrients that are good for your heart and blood vessels, but with dark chocolate it's important that it has a cocoa content of 70% or more to get the best effect. Eating "bad" is generally okay as long as you don't eat them often and enjoy in moderation. Allowing yourself to eat foods you enjoy helps you not to feel as if you're punishing yourself.

The key to maintaining a healthy diet is to make easy-to-implement lifestyle changes. Heart health begins with eating a healthy diet, but exercise and finding time to enjoy yourself are just as meaningful.

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