It’s time to embrace our heart health! Show your heart the love it deserves by staying active and eating a healthy, balanced diet. This includes plenty of plant-based foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains and legumes; lean proteins like fish, skinless poultry and low-fat dairy; and heart-healthy fats, which include olive oil, avocado oil, and whole nuts and seeds. The American Heart Association has an excellent example of what a healthy plate could include: The Deliciously Balanced Plate (heart.org) If you want to include more heart-healthy foods on your plate, this recipe comes together in 10 minutes and makes an excellent lunch or dinner. Serve with some veggies or crusty bread. –Dana Mealing, RDN, LDN, CIEC, Tevis Center for Wellness community nutrition educator
Tag: beans
Pumpkin Chili
Chili is the ultimate comfort food for fall! It signals cool weather, family gatherings and football. This recipe is even more reminiscent of fall because it includes pumpkin. This adds a nice mild sweetness that pairs well with the spices found in chili. The thing that really makes a good chili, though, is the beans. A variety of beans adds textural interest to the dish and a ton of heart- healthy fiber, plus plant-based protein. The combination of the two in addition to the pumpkin flavor are sure to leave you feeling satisfied—both in your tummy and in your soul! If you’re looking for a little extra nutrition boost, try swapping out sour cream for plain 2% Greek yogurt as a topping, adding protein and probiotics.
Lemony White Bean Salad
Arugula is a wonderful and flavorful addition to many dishes. It can be used as a topping from everything, from sandwiches to pizza! Or you can enjoy it on its own as a salad like in this recipe. Its lovely black peppery flavor comes from a chemical compound called glucosinolates. Research has found that these compounds, commonly found in plants from the Brassicaceae family (arugula, cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) may have protective qualities for our heart and brain health.
Chicken Enchilada Bean Dip
This enchilada bean dip is great for football season and will surely be a crowd-pleaser! It can also be prepared a few days ahead of time. Did you know beans are high in fiber, which helps us to stay full? Yum!
Bean Salad
This bean salad is beautiful, and beans are high in fiber and protein to help keep you full. Yum!
White Bean and Tuna Salad
Ever wonder what to make with canned tuna other than mixing it with mayo for a sandwich? This is a perfect high protein and fiber salad that’s delicate and satisfying, plus it is loaded with heart-healthy fats! Pair with some spring greens for added vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Cannellini Bean and Vegetable Salad
Beans are a great staple item to have in the pantry—they are quick and easy to use in a pinch! Beans, beans are good for your heart … because they are high in fiber! Beans are a great source of plant-based proteins, and there are so many varieties. Remember to rinse and drain your canned beans to reduce the sodium content.
Slow Cooker Bean Soup
A slow cooker bean soup recipe is a simple and delicious way to add fiber to your diet!
Butternut Squash and Turkey Chili
This chili recipe deviates for the norm and is surprisingly good! Lean turkey and all the traditional chili spices gets an extra boost of nutrients with the addition of seasonal butternut squash.
Black Bean Burgers
Instead of buying pre-made black bean burgers, save money and try this simple recipe using canned black beans to make a quick and healthy high fiber plant-based burger that will be sure to satisfy.