Well, love is in the air. While romantic love seems to steal the spotlight at this time of the year, I suggest that showing ourselves some love in the way of taking good care of ourselves is something worth paying attention to. In addition to February hosting Valentine’s Day, it is also Heart Month. It is the perfect time to show our ticker a little extra love.
Heart Health Tips
- Eat More of This:
- Complex Carbohydrates: vegetables – especially those leafy greens, fruit, and whole grains such as oats & brown rice
- Protein: beans and legumes, quinoa, chia seeds, eggs, and lean meat such as chicken or turkey. Keep red meat to a minimum and try to find grass-fed options.
- Healthy Fat: avocado, olive oil, fatty fish like salmon, lake trout, sardines, mackerel, raw nuts & seeds
- Fibre: leafy greens, apples, pears, raw nuts & seeds, prunes
- And Less of That:
- Unhealthy fats: such as those in found in fast-food, deep-fried foods, crackers, and other packaged snacks
- Sugar: leads to weight gain and reduced immune function with white sugar and glucose-fructose being the worst offenders. Hit the reset button on sweetness in general. Use honey or maple syrup sparingly. Avoid the use of artificial sweeteners – let’s aim to minimize the chemicals we are eating.
- Refined flour as found in white bread, crackers, cakes, pies, and pastries. Stick to whole grains as much as possible.
- Lifestyle:
- Make good quality sleep a priority
- Manage daily stressors in a way that is supportive to overall health – your body, your mind, and your soul.
- Get your body moving, even if it can only be for a little bit at first. Start small and build from there.
- Enjoy nature daily.
- Chat with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or a family history of cardiovascular disease.
Photo by Rinck Content Studio on Unsplash
Leave A Comment