Have you ever noticed the first thing you see when you walk into the grocery store?

We often see the produce aisle first and candy snacks at checkout. We’re here to help you outsmart these marketing tactics so you can leave the store with heart-healthy items. These ten healthy items are staples for any grocery cart and making shopping heart healthy a snap!

List of Heart-Healthy Foods

Leafy Greens

Choose tasty dark greens packed with nutrients. Kale, spinach, and watercress are easy to find and use to a variety of recipes.

Whole-Wheat Products

Whole-wheat products offer more fiber, which can be crucial for older adults. Make sure that it is 100% Whole Wheat so that you can enjoy the full nutritional benefits.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

Extra-virgin olive oil is a healthy fat and great alternative to butter. It promotes healthy cholesterol levels to protect you from a heart attack or stroke.

Tomatoes

Add tomatoes can to almost any dish! They are high in antioxidants can be added to salads, pasta, sandwiches or eggs.

Fish

Salmon and tuna are excellent examples of heart-healthy fish that are high in Omega-3s. Chose wild-caught fish over farmed or frozen to get the full health benefits.

Nuts

Nuts are easy on-the-go snacks. They can also be added to salads or even pasta. Almonds and walnuts are heart-healthy snacks that increase good cholesterol and lower total cholesterol. Be sure to be mindful of portion size, try about ¼ cup.

Grapes

Grapes are high in antioxidants and have phytochemicals that provide anti-inflammatory effects that help the cardiovascular system. They are great snacks, in salads or with low-fat cottage cheese or yogurt.

Berries

Buy berries seasonally. They are great over yogurt, in salads and as healthy antioxidant snacks.

Beans

Canned or dried beans are high in fiber, fat-free and rich in calcium, iron, and protein. They are versatile in meals. They can be added to soups, chili, salads or turned into hummus.

Quinoa

Quinoa is a superfood that is high in protein and rich in fiber. It is a healthy replacement for rice. Add quinoa to salads, with beans or mixed with vegetables.

Make these items a staple for every shopping trip. These simple items can be turned into heart-healthy recipes every night of the week!