Part of taking care of your heart is eating a diet that supports a healthy heart. When it comes to heart health, food can actually be the enemy and not the energy your body needs. But, have you noticed that healthy food can sometimes be the most expensive food on grocery store shelves?
So what are heart-healthy foods?
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Healthy protein such as legumes and nuts, fish and seafood, low-fat or fat-free dairy, lean and unprocessed meat and poultry
- Liquid non-tropical vegetable oils such as canola, corn, soybean, olive and sunflower oils
- Minimally processed foods
- Foods prepared with little or no added salt
- Foods with little or no added sugar
Despite soaring grocery prices, you can eat healthy on a budget. It may require a little advanced planning, flexibility and practice but a heart-healthy diet is possible even on a budget.
$ Prepare menus and grocery lists ahead to avoid impulse purchases.
$ Use technology like apps to help you plan your menus and grocery purchases.
$ Prepare meals in advance and freeze them so you are prepared with a healthy meal on hand even if you are pressed for time.
$ Prep snacks by cutting up fruit and vegetables and keeping them in single servings in the refrigerator. Fruit and vegetables already cut in store are much more expensive.
$ Buy fresh produce that is in season.
$ Buy local at a farmer’s market.
$ Buy in bulk and consider buying canned, frozen or dried produce.
$ Look for store specials and coupons and stock up.
Once you get all of your healthy eats home, be sure to watch expiration dates and keep an eye out that the fresh produce isn’t spoiling. Throwing away heart-healthy food is isn’t good for your ticker or your wallet!