Archive for February, 2014

Celebrating American Heart Health Month with Heart-Healthy Foods – Part 2

Posted on: February 13th, 2014 by BrevardBlogger No Comments

February is American Heart Health Month at Brevard Medical Equipment.  Having a strong, healthy heart is the key to a long and healthy life. One of the main ways to a healthy heart can be waiting in the refrigerator or pantry right now. Here are some of the best foods you can eat for heart health.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal has been associated with healthy hearts for a long time and for good reason.  Oatmeal is full of fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, potassium and folate. Having a big bowl of oatmeal can lo
wer levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and help keep arteries clean. Plus the fiber fills us up and keeps the body running smoothly.

There are many types of oatmeal to choose from like the higher-in-fiber coarse or steel-cut oats which are healthier than the instant varieties. Add fruit to your oatmeal for even more benefits.

Walnuts

Walnuts, along with almonds and macadamia nuts, are full of omega-3 fatty acids and mono- and polyunsaturated fat. These types of nuts are great sources of fiber too. Try to avoid the sugar, salt and chocolate covered variety of these nuts.

Berries

There are many berries that are “berry” good for you. The darker the color, the better they are for you. Choose blueberries, blackberries, raspberries or strawberries as a snack and enjoy the benefits that include anti-inflammatory properties and you can reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer. All berries are great for vascular health.

Beans and legumes

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and soluble fiber, beans are great for your heart and the rest of you, too. Try adding more lentils, chickpeas, black beans and kidney beans to the foods you already enjoy like salads and soups.

Spinach

Popeye was right!  Spinach is great for the body and heart. Spinach can help keep your heart healthy because it’s loaded with lutein, folate, potassium, and fiber.  If you aren’t a fan of cooked spinach, try adding it to sandwiches and salads with your lettuce.

Brevard Medical Equipment is your source for walkers and wheelchairs for everyday use and cruise rentals.

 

Celebrating American Heart Health Month with Heart-Healthy Foods

Posted on: February 11th, 2014 by BrevardBlogger No Comments

February is American Heart Health Month at Brevard Medical Equipment.  Having a strong, healthy heart is the key to a long and healthy life. One of the main ways to a healthy heart can be waiting in the refrigerator or pantry right now. Here are some of the best foods you can eat for heart health.

Salmon

Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids; the kind that is good for the heart. Salmon has been found to reduce blood pressure and prevent the blood from clotting. Salmon is also rich in carotenoid astaxanthin, a very powerful antioxidant.  Try to eat two servings of this super fish per week, and you may cut your heart attack risk by up to one-third.  Other heart healthy fish include mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines.

Avocado

It’s not just for guacamole anymore! The avocado is packed with monounsaturated fat. These new and trendy super foods can help lower your LDL (bad cholesterol) levels while raising the amount of HDL (the good) cholesterol in your body. They also allow for the absorption of beta-carotene and lycopene.

Chopped or sliced, you can add avocado to almost anything!

Olive Oil

Cook with olive oil, especially virgin and extra virgin olive oils. People in the Mediterranean part of the world have known about this secret for years, but it was slow to get to this country.  Relatively few people from that area died of heart disease. Olive oil is full of monounsaturated fats and it lowers bad LDL cholesterol and reduces your risk of developing heart disease. If you watch any TV cooking shows, you will see the cooks always use olive oil.

Healthy hearts mean healthier lives and healthier lives mean happier and longer lives. Brevard Medical Equipment wants all of our customers to live life to the fullest. See us for CPAP supplies, wheelchairs and other supplies to use when you are home or traveling. We have more to learn about heart-healthy foods in our next blog.