Eat Your Heart Out

The best snacks your heart will thank you for.

Go nuts: Contrary to popular belief, not all fats are created equal. While it is true nuts are high in fat, the type of fat found in nuts is considered a heart healthy fat that lowers bad cholesterol levels. However, still be mindful for the portion, since they are high in calories. Stick to a handful or about 1.5 ounces.

Popcorn: We are not talking about the “dripping in butter, extra cheese” popcorn that comes in a tub at the movie theater. We are talking about the original popcorn, made on the stove. It is actually a whole grain, a food group high in fiber and pivotal against the battle against heart disease.

Dark chocolate: We know it couldn’t be more exciting to find chocolate on this list. Dark chocolate contains flavanols, a plant chemical that could be protective against heart again. One ounce of dark chocolate is proven to be heart healthy. However, one ounce is likely less than you think. Make sure to check the nutrition label to see how many ounces the chocolate bar contains.

Yogurt: Yogurt contains calcium and other beneficial vitamins and minerals. Be careful when choosing your yogurt as they can often contain a lot of sugar. Look for one marked “no sugar added.” To give your yogurt a kick, you can mix in fruit or nuts.

Pretzels & tortilla chips: if you are looking for a healthy alternative to chips, try pretzels or baked tortilla chips. These heart healthy snacks will give you the satisfaction of a crunch without the empty fats found in traditional chips.