Balancing Act: How to Achieve a Heart-Healthy Diet

Hey there! It's time for the next installment of our blog series on hypertension management and achieving healthy blood pressure levels. March is National Nutrition Month, which means it's a great time to focus on making informed food choices and developing healthy eating habits to promote a healthy heart.

The American Heart Association says "Balance" is the latest word on heart-healthy eating. Basically, it means that you should adopt a variety of healthy eating habits instead of just focusing on one type of food. A balanced diet includes a mix of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein sources, and healthy fats. It's important to remember that everyone's dietary needs are different based on things like age, gender, and activity level.

Making healthy food choices doesn't have to be complicated! Check out these easy tips to get started:

• Load up on a variety of fruits and veggies. They're full of fiber, nutrients, and are usually low in calories and sodium. Whether you go for fresh, frozen, or canned, just make sure to choose wisely by reading food labels.
• Keep fresh fruit and pre-chopped or no-chop veggies on hand for easy snacking. It's always a good idea to make healthy options readily available so you're more likely to choose them over less healthy options.
• Get your omega-3 fatty acids by enjoying oily fish like salmon, mackerel, trout, and albacore tuna. They're all great choices for promoting heart health.
• For a satisfying and healthy snack, go for a small handful of nuts or seeds. Choose unsalted or lightly salted options like almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, pistachios, and walnuts.
• Choose lean protein sources like skinless chicken or turkey, fish, legumes, and tofu.
• Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and whole-grain bread, pasta, and cereal are great sources of fiber and nutrients.
• When you're reaching for processed or packaged foods, be mindful of added sugars and sodium. Opt for whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible.

Eating together as a family is also a great way to reduce stress and promote heart health. Parents report that their families are less stressed when they eat together.

Remember, nutrition plays a huge role in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels and promoting a healthy heart. By incorporating these tips into your diet and making informed food choices, you can reduce your risk of hypertension and improve your overall health. So go ahead, mix it up, and enjoy all the delicious and heart healthy foods out there.

We want to help you take control of your heart health, and that's why we've partnered with Qardio and 120/Life to offer some great resources. By using Qardio's at-home blood pressure monitor and 120/Life's functional beverage, you'll have everything you need to get on track with your heart health goals. And, since March is National Nutrition Month, it's a perfect time to focus on making positive changes to your diet that can help improve your heart health and lower your risk of hypertension. Plus, we've got an exclusive discount code for you - use 120LIFE at checkout to get 20% off the QardioArm Smart BP Monitor. Here's to a healthier you in the new year!