Heart Healthy Snacks

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Heart healthy snacks provide dual benefits. They curb hunger pangs and promote cardiovascular health. A snack is often necessary to help you get through a long day. Any snack that incorporates heart healthy foods is a wise choice. More on heart healthy foods here.

So, here are some heart healthy snack ideas that are yummy and easy to put together.

Antioxidant Rich Foods

Antioxidants prevent inflammation and protect against cardiovascular diseases.

• Dark chocolate contains high concentration of flavanols that are potent antioxidants.

• Fruits such as apples, cantaloupes, grapes,figs, pomegranates, dates, bananas and citrus fruits are also good antioxidant sources.

• Vegetables and vegetables salads are snacks that are beneficial to the heart.

• An innovative heart healthy snack is "skewered fruits with a dark chocolate dip".

Dark chocolate also contains an ingredient called epicatechin that boosts blood nitric oxide levels. High concentration of nitric oxide reduces blood pressure and helps protect against heart diseases. Click here to read more about What is nitric oxide? How does it help you and your health?

Fiber Rich Food

Dietary fibers are good for the heart because they reduce the LDL (bad) cholesterol and boost levels of the HDL (good) cholesterol. Fiber rich foods include whole grains, oats, whole fruits and vegetables.

• Popcorn, which is a whole grain, is a fiber rich heart healthy snack. For example, 3 cups of popped popcorn (without added oil) contain almost 6gr of fiber and only 90 cal. It also contains antioxidant polyphenols.

• A healthy snack idea is sliced vegetables in hummus dip. Hummus is chick peas sauce that is high in fiber and proteins.

Omega 3 Fatty Acid Rich Food

Omega 3 fatty acid present in fish oil has excellent cholesterol lowering properties and other health benefits.

• Individual servings of tuna and salmon are healthy options.

• Walnuts, flax or chia seeds and pumpkin seeds that are rich omega 3 fatty acid sources help protect against cardiovascular diseases. These seeds sprinkled over your salad constitute a healthy snack idea.

• A handful of mixed nuts like almonds, pecans, and hazelnuts to curb those hunger attacks make a wise choice that keeps your heart healthy.

Unsaturated Fats

Dietary fats are essential for several important body functions. But the choice of fats is critical. Saturated fats like butter and margarine are detrimental to the heart as they clog the arteries. Monounsaturated fats like olive oil and canola oil are heart friendly.

• Nuts and seeds that are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids are healthy snacks.

• Low fat yogurt is an excellent protein source free from saturated fats. You can use yogurt by itself or combine it with a serving of fruits and vegetables for a wholesome and healthy snack. Yogurt smoothies are an excellent and tasty heart friendly snack option.

If You Are Too Busy

With your hectic schedules, you may just not have the time to whip up a healthy snack. But don't worry.

Herbalife the leaders in health nutrition offer a variety of supplements that are heart friendly.

• The Herbalife Active Fiber Complex to be added to Herbalife shakes enhances the fibers in your diet to promote heart health.

• Not getting enough omega 3 fatty acids from snacks? Try Herbalife Tri Sheild , brimming with omega 3 goodness and antioxidants.

Choose heart healthy snacks and indulge without guilt.

Choosing healthy nutritious snack.

Protein snacks

If you are not sure whether Vitamin E is preventing heart diseases, read on here. Vitamin E and heart diseases prevention.

Health Benefits Of Fish Oil For Your Heart Health.

Vitamin E for heart health. Vitamin E benefits.

Healthy snacks for kids.

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