What Do Cardiologists Keep in Their Pantry?
Your heart pumps over 2,000 gallons of blood per day, delivering oxygen and nutrients to every cell and organ in your body, picking up waste along the way and sending it to be filtered. Given how important this single organ is, it’s no wonder that keeping your heart healthy is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and well-being. And while heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., there’s a lot you can do to reduce your risk, starting right in your kitchen. Research shows that heart-healthy eating patterns like the Mediterranean diet and DASH diet can help improve key markers for heart health. These diets emphasize whole foods that are rich in fiber, healthy fats, antioxidants and plant-based proteins.
But you don’t have to overhaul your entire diet or break the bank to start supporting your heart. Keeping just a few simple heart-healthy ingredients in your pantry can make it easier to add important nutrients to your everyday meals and snacks. We asked cardiologists for their must-have pantry staples, and chances are you already have a few of them on your shelf. Here’s what they recommend keeping stocked.
Excerpted from Eating Well
