Are you looking for healthy snacks to keep your parents’ heart health in check? Let’s follow our eight easy-to-make, tasty, and addictive heart-healthy recipes that they can’t help but enjoy every bite of in the article below!
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8 Yummy, Heart-Healthy Snacks That Your Parents Should Eat More
Greek Yogurt
The best thing about Greek yogurt is that you can eat it plain or serve it with mixed fruits and chia seeds for a refreshing, heart-healthy dessert. This Mediterranean yogurt has more protein and contains less sugar and lactose than regular yogurt. Where to find them? They’re available in every store, so you and your older family members won’t have trouble finding them.
Green Smoothie
Easy, fast, and packed with many nutrients, a green smoothie is a perfect way to blend all the fresh ingredients in one glass. You can try this green smoothie recipe from Mayo Clinic, which is an excellent vitamin A and C source.
Apple With Nut Butter
Apple slices with nut butter are a quick and easy snack to make. Nut butter is loaded with heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, which helps increase HDL while keeping LDL cholesterol in place. What about apples? You’ve probably heard about this saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” and the phrase exists for a reason as apples are packed with fiber to support your digestion and carbs to keep you energized along with many other nutrients.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is everyone’s favorite breakfast. In addition to being a good source of essential minerals, vitamins, and fiber, this gluten-free superfood is famous for its ability to reduce LDL cholesterol. Instead of cooking oats with milk and water as usual, “overnight oatmeal” is one of the popular, heart-friendly snacks that your parents must try.
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Hard-Boiled Eggs
There’s nothing more to say about hard-boiled eggs because it’s one of the simplest, heart-healthy snacks you will ever make for your parents. Hard-boiled eggs are high in HDL cholesterol, which is good for the heart of your parents. This good cholesterol helps excrete bad cholesterol from the body. Besides hard-boiled eggs, your parents can also have soft-boiled eggs to deliciously complement various dishes and meals. However, hard-boiled eggs are still better in terms of hygiene since it helps avoid harmful bacteria like salmonella.
Baked Kale Chips
Baked kale chips are easy-to-make snacks to replace your regular oily chips. These multivitamin B-loaded crunchy chips can significantly enhance cardiovascular health, prevent cancer, and other health advantages. All you need is to grab a pile of kale leaves, drizzle it with olive oil, and bake at 150 degrees C for 10 or 15 mins.
Hibiscus Tea
If one of your parents loves tea, they should try hibiscus tea which has been proven to lower cholesterol levels, simultaneously promoting heart health. Furthermore, drinking hibiscus tea is also linked to many health benefits such as blood pressure reduction, bacteria elimination, and weight loss. Hibiscus tea can be served hot or cold according to their liking.
Hummus
In the last few years, hummus has exploded in popularity. Because chickpeas are the main ingredient in this plant-based dip, eating hummus can help decrease your cholesterol levels significantly. However, it would be best if you made hummus yourself since store-bought hummus can be heavy in sodium, which can be harmful to your parents’ cardiovascular health. Pairing the hummus with carrots, cucumbers, and celery is the way to serve this yummy dip.
The 12 Oaks Living Approach
At 12 Oaks, we source the freshest ingredients to prepare the most delicious, nutritious meals and snacks for your beloved family members. Not only that, but your parents can enjoy these well-prepared, heart-healthy snacks with other elder friends.
If you have questions about heart-healthy snacks or any conditions discussed here, connect with us and learn more.
At 12 Oaks, our team of caring professionals is dedicated to keeping residents safe, engaged, and connected to their families and friends while still leading fulfilling lives. There’s no better place to enjoy the encore season of life than at a 12 Oaks community.
For questions or to schedule a visit, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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