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(MayoClinic.com) Do you want to adopt a heart-healthy diet but aren't sure where to start? One way to begin is to create a daily meal plan that emphasizes whole grains, fruits and vegetables and limits high-fat foods (such as red meat, cheese and baked goods) and high-sodium foods (such as canned or processed foods).
Below are two days' worth of heart-healthy menus. Use them as examples of heart-healthy eating.
Breakfast
1 cup cooked oatmeal, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon cinnamon and chopped walnuts
1 banana
1 cup skim milk
Lunch
1 cup low-fat (1 percent or lower) plain yogurt with 1 teaspoon ground flaxseed
1/2 cup peach halves, canned in juice
5 Melba toast crackers
1 cup raw broccoli and cauliflower
2 tablespoons low-fat cream cheese, plain or vegetable flavor (as a spread for crackers or vegetable dip)
Sparkling water
Dinner
Grilled turkey burger (4 ounces) with a whole-grain bun
1/2 cup green beans with toasted almonds
2 cups mixed salad greens
2 tablespoons low-fat salad dressing
1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
1 cup skim milk
1 small orange
Snack
1 cup skim milk
9 animal crackers
| Day 1 nutrient analysis | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1,556 |
| Total fat | 42 g |
| Saturated fat | 11 g |
| Monounsaturated fat | 12 g |
| Cholesterol | 109 mg |
| Sodium | 1,595 mg |
| Carbohydrate | 229 g |
| Fiber | 26 g |
| Protein | 81 g |
Breakfast
1 cup plain low-fat yogurt, topped with 3/4 cup blueberries
3/4 cup calcium-fortified orange juice
Lunch
1 whole-wheat pita stuffed with 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce, 1/2 cup sliced tomato, 1/4 cup sliced cucumber, 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese and 1 tablespoon reduced-fat ranch dressing
1 kiwi
1 cup skim milk
Dinner
Chicken stir-fry with eggplant and basil
1 cup brown rice with 1 tablespoon chopped dried apricots
1 cup steamed broccoli
4 ounces red wine or concord grape juice
Snack
3 graham cracker squares
1 cup fat-free frozen yogurt
| Day 2 nutrient analysis | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1,496 |
| Total fat | 24 g |
| Saturated fat | 7 g |
| Monounsaturated fat | 9 g |
| Cholesterol | 103 mg |
| Sodium | 1,638 mg |
| Carbohydrate | 230 g |
| Fiber | 28 g |
| Protein | 80 g |
On both days, if you're thirsty, drink water as a calorie-free way to supplement your diet.
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