5 Heart Healthy Foods That Are Easy to Pack

Eating Heart Healthy Foods on the Road is Hard:

As a heart patient, you already know that you have to be mindful of what you eat. Even if you have made your mind up to eat the right kinds of heart healthy foods, you may find it difficult to do so on a busy day when you're out and about. You may also skip breakfast in the morning because you think you don't have enough time.


Your Snacking Solution:

The problem with eating on the go and skipping meals is that it limits your options for heart healthy foods to what's available at the time. Why not keep your options open and have heart healthy meals and snacks with you at work, in your purse or in your car? The following foods are low in fat, cholesterol and sodium but they also travel well:


Heart Healthy Foods That Are Easy to Pack:

1. Nuts

Unsalted almonds and walnuts are a super heart healthy food. They contain healthy fats that lower your cholesterol and make your arteries less prone to blood clots. They also contain fiber and protein that keep your blood sugar levels stable and help you feel full. This helps to keep you from overeating and craving junk.

2. Red Grapes

Red grapes contain a component called polyphenols. These polyphenols are also present in other red grape products like dry red wine. If you like your grapes cold then freeze them and allow them to thaw during the day until you're ready to eat them. In the summer, enjoy them while they're still frozen instead of eating a popsicle or ice cream.

3. Boiled Egg Whites

How easy is it to boil eggs at night and put them in the refrigerator until the next morning? Then you can just grab them and go the next day. Leave them in the shell until you're ready to eat them. The yolk is easy to separate from the egg since it's boiled. No problem! Egg whites are a rich source of lean protein. Choose this instead of fatty or salty protein choices in the morning such as bacon or sausage.

4. Whole Grain Cereal

Anyone with a toddler knows how easily Cheerios travel. For an even better heart healthy choice, try Kashi's Go Lean Crunch. It's clusters taste a little sweet and are perfect when eaten alone or on top of low fat yogurt. Go Lean Crunch also has healthy soy protein in it which helps to lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol. The protein will help balance your blood sugar out, as well. Kashi also makes other cereals that contain flax, a food rich in healthy fats that are good for your heart.

5. Dark Chocolate

Oh, yes...don't forget about dark chocolate! If you get an urge for a sweet treat, grab a few small pieces of dark chocolate. Don't buy it in large bars or chunks. Purchase it in individually wrapped pieces and only take two or three with you. No, you can't substitute regular milk chocolate, either because it's not considered a heart healthy food.