Light & lovely
Heart Healthy Recipes
Everyday meals with fish, vegetables, whole grains, and good oils. Simple cooking that is kind to the heart.
About Heart Healthy
Heart healthy recipes follow a familiar pattern. They use plenty of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, beans, fish, and skinless poultry. They cook with olive oil instead of butter and go easy on salt and processed meats.
Baking, grilling, roasting, and sautéing in a little oil are the usual methods. This section is a balanced mix of choices. Low Sodium and Low Cholesterol each focus on one thing, while these recipes look at the whole plate.
Questions folks ask
What is a heart healthy diet?
It usually centers on vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fish, beans, and healthy oils, with less salt and saturated fat. Your doctor can give advice for your needs.
Is olive oil better than butter?
Olive oil has less saturated fat than butter, so it is often used in heart healthy cooking.
Can I still eat red meat?
Many people eat it in smaller amounts, choosing lean cuts and balancing the plate with vegetables and grains.
Kitchen tips
- Cook with olive oil in place of butter when you can.
- Serve fish, like salmon, once or twice a week.
- Fill half your plate with vegetables.
- Trim visible fat from meat and remove poultry skin.
- Season with herbs and spices instead of extra salt.