Global Courant
If you are following a heart patient diet plan due to heart problems or you just want to keep your heart healthy while modifying your diet to benefit your cardiovascular system, you may sometimes wonder if comfort foods are an off limits item. The truth is that when you create your heart disease meal plan, you have to be careful about the ingredients and make sure that every item you consume has a benefit for the heart and blood vessels. For example, instead of a heavy meat-based soup full of cholesterol that clogs the arteries, try a tasty vegetable soup that is low in fat and high in fiber.
Fall is the perfect time for both soup and veggies! Local farmers’ markets are overflowing with a huge array of healthy fruits and vegetables. Not only will your heart benefit, but so will your immune system and your weight if you stick to healthy veggies as the base of your hearty soup. Research has shown that diet can improve the condition of heart disease and slow or stop the progression of degenerative conditions.
Don’t forget to choose different colors; it is often the pigments in the vegetables that contain the most beneficial phytochemicals. This is where the antioxidants are that help keep the arteries clear and the heart strong. Carrots, onions, a few red potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, a bright red or orange bell pepper, cabbage, beans, corn, peas and members of the legume family such as black beans or chickpeas provide an incredible dose of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. All the nutrients your heart and cardiovascular system crave are in these foods. Use a vegetable stock or an all-natural, low-sodium, low-fat chicken stock. People at risk of high blood pressure and atherosclerosis should always keep salt and fat levels in mind so they stay low.
To flavor the soup, forget the salt shaker and black pepper. There is a rich world of herbs and spices, many with properties that aid digestion and heart health. If you fancy a salty taste, go to the health food store and buy some dulse. This is seaweed that gives a salty taste with almost no salt. The rich flavor comes from the minerals in seawater and this is a proven herb for heart health.
There are many seasoning salt substitutes that pack the flavor without artificial chemicals. Lots of garlic and a dash of cayenne pepper strengthen both the heart and the entire circulatory system. Hopefully your own garden is full of parsley, thyme and oregano. These are all heart-warming seasonings.
One final word, don’t overcook the soup. The longer vegetables cook, the more nutrients are lost, so keep the cooking time to a maximum of 60 minutes. Have a slice of warm wholemeal bread with the soup and a dessert of baked apples and your heart will love you! You will follow a great healthy eating plan for heart disease!
Heart Patient Diet – Why vegetable soup is good for heart health
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