It may seem difficult to follow a diet of heart-healthy foods, especially when you're snacking, but there are some good options you can buy ready-to-eat at the grocery store.
Here are some of the best choices.
1. Fresh vegetables and fruits are the mainstays of a heart-healthy diet. You can get pre-cut versions of everything from carrots to apple slices, often in individual portions that you can grab and take to work or to your grandson’s tee-ball game so you’re never tempted to settle for unhealthy foods at the concession stand.
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2. Dried fruits are another decent option, but some have added sugar and other ingredients. Portion sizes are also smaller for dried fruits, usually about ¼ cup.
3. Nuts and sunflower seeds contains mono- and polyunsaturated fats that can raise good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol. Prepackaged nuts come in perfect portion sizes to make sure you don’t overdo it.
4. Skip the mini-bags of chips and go for
pretzels or popcorn instead. Avoid microwave popcorn and stick with something natural that's either unsalted or lightly salted.
5. Rice cakes are low-fat and are perfectly portion-sized to have a limited amount of carbs. Peanut butter or cream cheese on top can add flavor when at home or work.
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6. Part-skim mozzarella cheese sticks come individually wrapped and offer filling protein without a lot of fat or calories.
7. Four-ounce cups of low-fat yogurt provide calcium and probiotics to balance digestion and can be kept cold on the go with a small ice pack.
8. Canned fruit without additional sweetener is available in snack-size cups.
9. Raisins offer high levels of polyphenols and potassium.
10. Salmon and tuna come in single serving pouches, offering another high-protein option for your snack arsenal as well as providing omega-3 fatty acids that balance cholesterol levels.
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