Heart-healthy Foods

This post is for all of you out there who are health concious. It's also especially for my friend, Karley who's on a weight loss plan. Check out her blog: www.shoppingusedtobefun.blogspot.com.

According to CNN, here are the top ten best foods for your heart:

Oatmeal - This fiber-rich superfood can lower levels of LDL (or bad) cholesterol and help keep arteries clear.

Salmon - Super-rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon can effectively reduce blood pressure and keep clotting at bay.

Avocado - Packed with monounsaturated fat, avocados can help lower LDL levels while raising the amount of HDL cholesterol in your body.

Olive Oil - Full of monounsaturated fats, olive oil lowers bad LDL cholesterol and reduces your risk of developing heart disease.

Nuts - Almonds, walnuts, and macadamia nuts are all full of omega-3 fatty acids and mono- and polyunsaturated fats.

Berries - Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries -- whatever berry you like best -- are full of anti-inflammatories, which reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer.

Legumes - They're packed with omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and soluble fiber.

Spinach - It can help keep your ticker in top shape thanks to its stores of lutein, folate, potassium, and fiber.

Flaxseed - Full of fiber and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, a little sprinkling of flaxseed can go a long way for your heart.

Soy - It may lower cholesterol, and since it is low in saturated fat, it's still a great source of lean protein in a heart-healthy diet.

I love salmon, berries, spinach, and nuts! Oatmeal is something I don't mind having as long as there's fruit to go with it. It honestly tastes a bit bland. If you love Italian food, then you're already getting a dose of olive oil. For more information, here's the link to the article: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/03/23/best.foods.for.your.heart/index.html