Your real estate agent did not have to tell you all about the social value of a well-stocked, well-designed kitchen area. The kitchen is the heart of the home, and those searching to purchase a home will always seek out the kitchen area before buying.
Though the kitchen may be the heart of the home, it may also be the heart-healthy center of the home. The fast-paced nature of our culture makes it all the more necessary to stock your kitchen with heart-healthy snacks foods.
Check out this quick summary of a few of the best heart-healthy snacks to keep around the kitchen, and keep your family going with cabinets and countertops full of love.
Heart-healthy varieties of nuts
Walnuts, in particular, are great for your old ticker. Eating only 5 ounces of walnuts per week could lower your chances of heart disease by as much as fifty percent.
Walnuts are full of all the best kinds of fat. Adding monounsaturated fats to your diet will lower your “bad” cholesterol levels and raise your “good” cholesterol levels.
Other heart-healthy nut options include almonds, cashews, pistachios, flaxseed, and chia seeds. All of these crunchy treats will boost your health and suffice your hunger in less than five minutes.
Raspberries are full of antioxidants
Almost all berries are great for your health, but raspberries are loaded with polyphenols. Polyphenols are antioxidants that work hard to clear your body of harmful free radicals.
Raspberries contain a healthy dose of vitamin C and fiber, which are both excellent for lowering your risk of heart problems over time. Strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are all excellent substitutes if raspberries cannot tickle the taste buds of your family.
Popcorn is a heart-booster
This may surprise you, but popcorn is an excellent source of antioxidants, too. Gram for gram, this crunchy snack has more antioxidants in it than a serving of cranberries.
Eating popcorn also adds whole grains to your diet, and people who eat whole grains are typically healthier than those who do not. Whole grains also lower your risk for heart disease.
Dark chocolate is safe to enjoy
Dark chocolate is one of the most enjoyable ways to lower your risk for heart disease. Be careful not to over-indulge in this delectable, healthy treat. When consumed in proper portions, dark chocolate can lower blood pressure, bad cholesterol, and help prevent the formation of blood clots in the body.
Avocados are the grabbable superfood
The final entry in our heart-healthy snack pack is an avocado. Avocados are helpful to those who suffer from chronic inflammation.
They are also high in fats, but it is the good sort of fat. You do want to be modest with your portions, but avocados are a delicious addition to a serving of organic corn chips.