You Just Started a Heart-Healthy Diet—Here Are the Recipes to Make First (2024)

Eating for a healthy heart is doable and delicious with these recipes. Whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner, each recipe is low in sodium and saturated fat and packed with nutrients like potassium to help you meet your goals. It's easy to eat heart-healthy meals all day long with recipes like Mediterranean Breakfast Sandwiches, Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Taco Bowls or Roasted Chicken Tenders with Peppers & Onions.

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One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & Spinach

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Shrimp, spinach and garlic brown and cook quickly for a simple one-pot weeknight dinner. A fast pan sauce gets life from zesty lemon juice, warm crushed red pepper and herby parsley. Serve with a slice of whole-wheat baguette to swipe up every last drop of sauce.

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Veggie & Hummus Sandwich

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This mile-high vegetable and hummus sandwich makes the perfect heart-healthy vegetarian lunch to go. Mix it up with different flavors of hummus and different types of vegetables depending on your mood.

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Sweet Potato-Black Bean Burgers

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These vegan sweet potato-black bean burgers spiced with curry powder are easy to make. Blending the mixture with your hands gives you a soft, uniform texture then the outside gets crispy by cooking in a cast-iron pan. To make this recipe gluten-free too, use gluten-free oats and serve the patty in a lettuce wrap, omitting the bun.

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Two-Ingredient Banana Pancakes

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These delicious and unbelievably simple pancakes are best enjoyed right after cooking. With just eggs and a banana, you can have healthy grain-free pancakes with no added sugar. Serve with maple syrup and yogurt or ricotta cheese to add in some protein.

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Vegetable Weight-Loss Soup

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A big bowl of this veggie-packed minestrone will leave you satisfied for hours without consuming a lot of calories--plus it's an easy way to boost your vegetable servings for the day. Top with a dollop of pesto before devouring this delicious skinny vegetable soup.

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Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Taco Bowls

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A bold, smoky marinade elevates roasted cauliflower in this meal-prep version of our popular Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Tacos (see Associated Recipes). To cut down on prep time, look for precut cauliflower in the produce department. You can also save time by using microwaveable quinoa pouches (you'll need one 8-ounce pouch for this recipe) instead of cooking quinoa.

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Mediterranean Breakfast Sandwiches

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This veggie-packed breakfast sandwich delivers a healthy serving of protein plus fresh vegetables on low-carbohydrate sandwich bread.

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Roasted Chicken Tenders with Peppers & Onions

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Call this one an update of that favorite combo, sausage and peppers. Our healthy version can be served over rice or on a roll with a little shredded cheese for a new take on a Philly cheese steak sandwich.

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Garlic Roasted Salmon & Brussels Sprouts

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Roasting salmon on top of Brussels sprouts and garlic, flavored with wine and fresh oregano, is simple enough for a weeknight meal yet sophisticated enough to serve to company. Serve with whole-wheat couscous.

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Spaghetti with Quick Meat Sauce

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Instead of opening a jar of sauce, try this easy spaghetti with meat sauce on a weeknight. Serve with steamed broccoli and garlic bread. The recipe makes enough for 8 servings. If you're serving only four for dinner, cook 8 ounces of spaghetti and freeze the leftover sauce.

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Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats

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It takes just minutes to assemble this healthy no-cook breakfast and you'll have meal-prepped grab-and-go breakfasts on hand for the rest of the week. Top these delicious vegan oats--inspired by classic cinnamon bun flavors--with fresh or frozen fruit and your favorite nuts and seeds.

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Avocado, Tomato & Chicken Sandwich

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In this healthy chicken sandwich recipe, the avocado is mashed to create a healthy creamy spread.

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Superfood Chopped Salad with Salmon & Creamy Garlic Dressing

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Curly kale forms the base of this salad, but you could use chard or spinach. To the greens, add a multitude of chopped veggies, such as broccoli, cabbage and carrots. Finish with rich salmon for protein and a drizzle of creamy yogurt dressing to bring it all together.

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Sesame-Garlic Beef & Broccoli with Whole-Wheat Noodles

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A savory marinade with garlic, ginger, soy sauce and sesame oil infuses flavor into sirloin steak pieces in this healthy beef and broccoli stir-fry recipe. Tip: Partially freeze the beef for easier slicing.

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Tuna, White Bean & Dill Salad

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Take canned tuna to new heights by adding cannellini beans, red onion and dill, tossing it in a lemon-pepper-Dijon dressing and serving it over a spinach salad with canned beets.

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Really Green Smoothie

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The combination of kale and avocado makes this healthy smoothie recipe extra green. Chia seeds lend this creamy smoothie a heart-healthy punch of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.

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Tomato, Cucumber & White-Bean Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

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This no-cook bean salad is a delicious way to use summer's best cherry or grape tomatoes and juicy cucumbers for a light dinner or lunch. Fresh basil elevates an easy vinaigrette recipe that dresses up this simple salad into something extraordinary.

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Chicken-Spaghetti Squash Bake

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In this version of a chicken-and-broccoli casserole, spaghetti squash takes on a creamy texture when baked with cream of mushroom soup.

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Chickpea & Quinoa Buddha Bowl

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It seems Buddha bowls have as many variations as there are stars in the sky, and there is no wrong way to build one! But we prefer to keep things classic and simple with hummus, quinoa, avocado and loads of veggies!

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Baby Kale Breakfast Salad with Bacon & Egg

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Breakfast salad? Oh yes! Start your day off right with this healthy breakfast recipe. A bowl of good-for-you greens, such as baby kale, will knock out half of your daily veggie quota with the first meal of the day.

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Spicy Jerk Shrimp

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Here's a shrimp sheet pan supper that's roasted and caramelized to perfection! The pineapple in this recipe makes a sweet sauce that balances the heat of the Jamaican jerk seasoning.

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Baked Eggs with Roasted Vegetables

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With 11 grams of protein in each serving, this recipe is great for breakfast. Start preparation the day before and chill overnight for minimal work in the morning.

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Chicken & Mushroom Shepherd's Pie

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The creamy chicken filling is spiked with sherry and the potatoes are mashed with olive oil in this healthy shepherd's pie recipe. To make individual pies, use six 10-ounce ramekins. Serve with a green salad with balsamic vinaigrette and crusty bread.

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Black Bean-Queso Wraps

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These easy wraps are filled with black beans, corn, red pepper and creamy queso. They cook up quickly in a panini press.

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Muesli with Raspberries

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Unlike granola, muesli isn't baked with sweeteners or oil. Make your own or find your favorite brand in most supermarkets--we like Bob's Red Mill.

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Shrimp Scampi

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Shrimp scampi is a favorite dish at many Italian restaurants but our version takes just 20 minutes to prepare, so it's perfect for a weeknight dinner at home. Large shrimp are cooked with garlic and then served over linguine pasta with a buttery-wine sauce--it's so good your family may think you ordered takeout!

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Green Veggie Bowl with Chicken & Lemon-Tahini Dressing

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For this healthy 30-minute dinner, treat your veggies like pasta and cook until al dente, or just done. If you have a little extra time, double or triple the lemon-tahini dressing and use it to quickly dress a salad or as a sauce for steak or shrimp.

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Vegan Pad Thai with Tofu

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You won't miss the scrambled eggs and fish sauce in this vegan version of the Thai favorite because the flavorful sauce hits just the right balance of sweet, spicy and umami.

You Just Started a Heart-Healthy Diet—Here Are the Recipes to Make First (2024)

FAQs

What are the basics of a heart healthy diet? ›

Make vegetables, fruits, and whole grains the focus of your diet. Include fish, legumes (beans), and nuts in your diet and use nontropical vegetable oils (such as olive or canola oil). Limit intake of sweets, sugar-sweetened beverages, and red or processed meats.

What is the healthiest food for your heart? ›

Foods to eat
  • Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, tuna, and trout)
  • Lean meats such as 95% lean ground beef or pork tenderloin or skinless chicken or turkey.
  • Eggs.
  • Nuts, seeds, and soy products (tofu)
  • Legumes such as kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, and lima beans.
Mar 24, 2022

What is a cardiac diet menu plan? ›

“Cardiac diet” is an unofficial term for a heart-healthy diet. It's an eating plan that emphasizes foods that promote heart health, such as vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean poultry and oily fish like salmon and tuna that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Which fruit reduces heart blockage? ›

Apple & Banana are best fruits for heart blockage that helps in reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. It contains antioxidants that can help prevent blood clots from forming and causing a heart attack or stroke. Bananas are also a great fruit to eat if you have heart blockage.

What are 4 signs your heart is slowly failing you? ›

You may have trouble breathing, an irregular heartbeat, swollen legs, neck veins that stick out, and sounds from fluid built up in your lungs. Your doctor will check for these and other signs of heart failure. A test called an echocardiogram is often the best test to diagnose your heart failure.

Which fruit is best for heart? ›

Berries. Whether it's blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or strawberries that you're drawn to most, all berries are heart-healthy fruit loaded with vitamin C and fiber.

Can you eat scrambled eggs on a cardiac diet? ›

Most healthy people can eat up to seven eggs a week without increasing their risk of heart disease. Some studies have shown that this level of egg consumption might even help prevent certain types of stroke and a serious eye condition called macular degeneration that can lead to blindness.

Does the 3-day cardiac diet really work? ›

BOTTOM LINE: The 3-Day Cardiac Diet is highly restrictive and unsustainable, and it's not based on science. Although it may lead to weight loss, weight regain is likely once you resume a normal diet.

Is coffee OK on a cardiac diet? ›

Drinking coffee in moderation appears to be safe for the heart. The Food and Drug Administration suggests that healthy adults can drink 4 to 5 cups of coffee without harm. Some people may be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine, depending on certain health conditions and medications.

What is the #1 worst habit for your heart? ›

Top Unhealthy Heart Habits
  1. Smoking. Smoking is one of the most unhealthy heart habits. ...
  2. Alcohol Use. ...
  3. Poor Diet. ...
  4. Stress. ...
  5. Little Physical Activity. ...
  6. Avoiding Physicals and Checkups. ...
  7. High Salt Intake. ...
  8. Inadequate Sleep.

What are 3 foods cardiologists say not to eat? ›

6 Foods Cardiologists Avoid
  • Bacon, sausage and processed meats.
  • Potato chips and other processed snacks.
  • Fast food.
  • Red meat.
  • Sugary drinks.
  • Movie theater popcorn.

What is the most artery clogging food? ›

Among foods that contribute to clogged arteries are: Butter, ghee, suet, lard, coconut oil, and palm oil4. Fatty cuts of red meat5. Whole milk and cream6.

What is the 3 day cardiac diet? ›

The 3-Day Cardiac Diet sets strict limits on foods you can eat during specific meals. Meals generally consist of a protein source paired with fruits, vegetables, toast, or saltine crackers. Salt and pepper are the only permitted spices. For dessert, vanilla ice cream is allowed once per day during dinner.

What are the 10 most heart healthy foods? ›

10 foods to improve your heart health
  • Walnuts and almonds. ...
  • Oranges. ...
  • Avocados. ...
  • Dark chocolate. ...
  • Low-fat yogurt. ...
  • Cherries. ...
  • Dark leafy greens. ...
  • Black beans. Black beans are filled with antioxidants, folate, and magnesium that can help lower your blood pressure.

What is a good breakfast for a heart patient? ›

Scrambled eggs, whole-grain toast, one cup of milk and sliced apples. Greek yogurt with whole-grain cereal and berries. Whole-grain toast with peanut butter or alternative, sliced apples, one cup of milk. Yogurt parfait with plain yogurt, ground flax seeds or muesli and fresh fruit.

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