Snacking is great, but snacking SMART is even better! If you’re looking for some satisfying alternatives to traditional unhealthy options, here’s some heart healthy snacks you and your family should try.

Why is Heart Health Important?

Heart health in general is critical to an active, vibrant and healthy lifestyle. According to the American Heart Association, cardiac arrest remains a public health crisis. On average, the AMA reports over 350,000 out-of-hospital heart attacks occur each year in the Unites States alone, with over 90% of them being fatal. While there are multiple factors that influence ones heart health, poor diet remains one of the leading causes of complications.

According to the Trust for America’s Health, 41% of American adults battle obesity. That statistic has climbed tremendously since 2015, where the reported number of obese adults ranged around 25%. The report also indicates that nearly 1 our of 6 children are obese, with 1 out of 3 being at least overweight. In addition to healthy lifestyle choices, heart healthy snacking can have a tremendous positive impact on our health.

Heart Healthy Foods

With that said, let’s get snacking! From foods to drinks, here’s some snacks to try that fuel a ‘hearty’ lifestyle for adults and children alike.

For “Crunch” Lovers

• Carrots with light ranch
• Apples with almond butter
• Nuts and seeds
• Celery with low-fat dip
• Rice cakes (great with spread)
• Peppers of various types
• Chickpeas (plain or roasted)
• Lightly salted popcorn

For the “Sweet Tooth”

• Fruit with light syrup
• Banana bread
• Bananas (frozen or regular)
• Strawberries with cream
• Dark chocolate
• Low-fat yogurt
• Almond butter & honey
• Pineapple and coconut

More Filling Snacks

• Tomatoes and hummus
• Lettuce wraps
• Fruit and nut salad
• Fruit or veggie smoothie
• Low fat cheese and crackers
• Greek yogurt smoothie
• Peanut butter bites

Heart Healthy Drinks

From milkshakes, sodas, slushies, high fructose juices and many others, there are multiple drink varieties that promote poor heart health. Liquid calories have been referred to as “hidden” calories because they often don’t feel as filling as food consumption (hence why they can be a silent killer). To keep your heart happy, here’s some tasty drink options to try.

• Vegetable juice
• Low sodium tomato juice
• Fruit smoothies
• Pomegranate juice
• Coffee (low cream)
• Plant-based milks
• Sparkling water
• Matcha tea
• Cacao hot chocolate

The Big Take Away

Foods and drinks consisting of high saturated fats and cholesterol (such as butter, cured meats and milkshakes for example) have been directly related to heart disease and other related conditions. For children and adults alike, monitoring your heart health is essential for quality of life. Heart healthy snacks can play an easy and delicious roll in feeling your best!