The food in your pantry plays a big role in supporting your health—especially your heart health. Stocking your pantry with heart-healthy staples makes it easier to follow heart-healthy recipes while still enjoying delicious meals.

Supplying your pantry with these healthful staples does not need to be overwhelming. This article shares budget-friendly tips to fill your pantry with heart-healthy staples and support a well-rounded diet.

Why a Heart-Healthy Pantry Matters

Eating a heart-healthy diet is important for people of all ages. However, a heart-healthy diet is even more essential for seniors who want to:

• Reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular disease
• Manage and improve cholesterol levels
• Regulate blood pressure
• Lower inflammation in the body

If your doctor has advised you to eat a heart-healthy diet, it is normal to feel overwhelmed. These easy swaps make shopping simpler and less overwhelming.

Budget-Friendly Heart-Healthy Swaps

Many of the pantry staples you are used to buying at the grocery store are not great for your heart, as they may contain saturated and trans fats. These types of fats are often found in processed foods and snacks, sugary drinks, and refined grains. Very salty foods and very sugary foods are also not considered heart-healthy.

Next time you go grocery shopping, try swapping:

• Grains: Instead of white bread or pasta, try swapping grains for brown rice, whole-grain quinoa, or whole-grain pasta. These choices offer a healthy source of fiber, which can help support your heart and your cholesterol levels.
• Sources of protein: Instead of fatty meats, consider swapping to beans, which provide a healthy source of protein and are also higher in fiber. Some types of beans to consider include black beans or chickpeas. Canned beans offer a budget-friendly way to get healthy protein into your diet.
• Cooking oils: Instead of cooking with fatty oils like butter or lard, choose heart-healthy options like olive oil or avocado oil.
• Produce: Fresh produce is often an excellent choice for a well-rounded diet. However, fresh produce can be pricy. Canned or frozen vegetables and fruits offer just as much nutritional value at a fraction of the cost. Stock your pantry with heart-healthy canned vegetables such as tomatoes, beans, and spinach to support your heart.
• Snacks: Many packaged and processed snacks contain too much sugar and salt, which can harm your heart. Instead, consider healthy, budget-friendly snacks like nuts and canned fruits and vegetables.

Learning to Shop for Heart-Healthy Foods

Learning to shop correctly for a heart-healthy diet takes time, so be patient with yourself as you begin swapping pantry staples. In addition to these easy swaps, gradually removing processed foods and foods high in sugar and sodium can further support your heart health.

Get Help from a IntuneHealth Provider

Looking for help in sticking to a heart-healthy diet? We’re here to help guide you in selecting the best diet plan for your health needs. Always remember to check in with your health provider before starting any new nutrition plan. Take a virtual tour and see what makes us different.

Ready to learn more about how IntuneHealth can help you stay healthier and out of the hospital? Call (866) 233-2148. We can’t wait to meet you!