Below we discuss 5 ways to keep your heart healthy balance. And it is easier than you think. Here’s how:
1. Eat your rainbow colours
At least five portions of different types of fruit and vegetables a day helps you get a range of nutrients and anti-oxidants. Chop a banana over your breakfast cereal, swap your usual mid-morning snack for a portion of fresh fruit, or have a sweet fruit for dessert after dinner.
2. Have a fish dish
Fish is an excellent source of protein, vitamins and minerals. It’s recommended that we eat at least two portions of fish per week, with one serving being an oily fish. Oily fish includes salmon, mackerel, trout, and non-oily fish includes haddock, plaice and coley.
3. Saturated is overrated
We need some fat in our diet, and the amount and type of fat we’re eating is vital. The two types of fat are: saturated and unsaturated. Too much saturated fat can escalate the volume of cholesterol in the blood, which increases your risk of developing heart disease. Try to reduce your saturated fat intake, and select foods that comprise of unsaturated fats instead, such as vegetable oils and avocados.
4. Move more
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is essential in maintaining a healthy weight. However, this goes hand in hand with moving more, even by making small strides in your daily routine. Take the stairs instead of the lift, get off the couch and walk the dog, involve the kids and play tag.
5. Hydrate
We need to drink about 1.6 – 2 litres of water every day to avoid dehydration. This is in addition to the fluid we get from the food we eat. Avoid sugary soft drinks. Water infused with freshly cut fruit like lemon, mint, cucumber or strawberries is healthy and appetizing.
