💗 10+ Foods That Love You Back

While we all know the foods that aren’t exactly heart‑friendly (looking at you, sugary drinks and overly salty snacks), let’s flip the script. Today, we’re celebrating foods that love us back—the ones that nourish, energize, and keep our hearts beating strong.

Here are some delicious, easy everyday foods that bring big heart‑healthy benefits:

1. Fresh herbs add flavor without all the nasty stuff.  Turmeric may help reduce inflammation while garlic may support healthier cholesterol and blood pressure.

2. Black beans are a fiber‑rich powerhouse that supports blood pressure, cholesterol, and stable blood sugar. Toss them in soups or salads.

3. Wild caught Salmon is loaded with omega‑3s—your heart’s favorite kind of fat. The American Heart Association recommends two servings of salmon or other oily fish (sardines, tuna, herring, or mackerel) a week.

4. Olive oil is a great swap for butter or margarine. For the best flavor and the highest levels of omega-3, buy cold pressed in a dark glass bottle and use it within 6 months.

5. Almonds are the perfect crunchy topper for oatmeal, salads, or veggies. They contain plant sterols and fiber that may help lower LDL cholesterol.

6. Sweet Potatoes are cozy, comforting, and lower on the glycemic index than white potatoes.

7. Swiss Chard is rich with potassium and magnesium; two minerals associated with controlling blood pressure.

8. Oatmeal is packed with fiber that can help lower bad cholesterol. Try swapping out 1/3 of the flour with oats in your baked goods or pancakes.

9. Cherries, whether sweet, sour, dried or juiced, they’re all rich in antioxidants that help protect your blood vessels.

10. Blueberries support heart and brain health.

Bonus: Dark Chocolate. Yes, really! A small square of 70% (or higher) dark chocolate brings flavonoids that support healthy blood flow. A perfect mindful treat.