“I am a cardiologist, and these are 2 packed snacks I swear for heart health,” initially appeared in the parade.
If you are busy or like to cook food, you can rely on packed foods to make your life easier. Protein bars, microwave dishes and comfortable snacks can be useful when you need time.
Although there is no doubt that such foods are time -saving, they are often not perfectly healthy. Research shows that a diet rich in recycled foods increases the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer. However, it is also important to recognize that not all processed foods are designed the same; Some are actually full of nutrition benefits.
With this in mind, read on to see what two packed snacks that the cardiologist say can support a healthy heart.
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Why packed foods are usually not recommended for heart health
Although not all packed foods are unhealthy, it is still best not to make their cornerstone with a stone of your diet, especially if you want to support your heart. “A diet rich in recycled food can be harmful to heart health due to factors,” saysDr Lars Sondergaard, MDIs it Cardiologist and Vice President of the Unit, Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer Abbott’s Structural Heart Unit.
He explains that one of the reasons why recycled food is usually not suitable for heart health is that they are often high in sodium, which is associated with high blood pressure, sharing: “High blood pressure makes the heart more difficult to work, resulting in thickening of the heart muscles and a possible lesion.”
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In addition to sodium, Dr. Sondergaard says that many recycled foods contain high in saturated fat and add sugar, which he says is associated with increased LDL cholesterol and weight gain – two main risk factors for heart disease.
“The combination of high sodium, unhealthy fat, added sugar and beneficial nutrients in recycled foods creates a great storm to promote risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which significantly increases the likelihood of heart disease,” he adds.
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2 Cardiologist said 2 packed foods that are actually beneficial to your heart
Although many processed foods are produced with ingredients that are harmful to heart health, there are two dr. Silygaard says he maintains heart health, even when eaten regularly.
1. Canned beans
“Canned beans are accessible to the heart of a healthy pantry pantry pantry. Beans are packed with fiber, which helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol, important heart health factors,” says Dr. Sondergaard. When buying canned beans, he says that they seek to be marked with “low,” or “without salt added” to ensure that they are really healthy. As he explained earlier, food containing a lot of sodium can increase blood pressure.
Research shows that eating beans regularly can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition to fiber, this plant -based protein is full of antioxidants, which reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of heart disease.
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2. Simple oatmeal
Another packed food, which the doctor, Sygergaard, maintains heart health, is simple oatmeal, which is different from the taste of oatmeal, which often includes added sugar. “Oats contain a certain type of soluble fiber called beta-glucan, which lowers blood glucose and cholesterol, and reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes,” he explains. “Oatmeal also contains vitamins and minerals such as manganese that can play immunity, blood coagulation, and the metabolized cholesterol and blood sugar,” he adds.
If you want your oatmeal to be particularly healthy, Doctor Szeglaard recommends that it be filled with fresh or frozen fruits. “Fruits are rich in antioxidants that can help protect against heart disease, reducing inflammation and improving vascular function,” he says.
What to remember when choosing packaged foods that support heart health
Of course, not all packaged foods are designed in the same way when it comes to nutrition benefits. So what should you remember when buying them to ensure what you bring home is a really healthy heart? Dr. Sondergaard says choosing a food containing low sodium, sugar and saturated fat.
When reading the list of ingredients, the healthiest list of packed foods is the Whole Foods, which is primarily obtained from nature. “It is important to prioritize snacks from nature, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and healthy grains. They are naturally rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which are very important for heart health,” he explains.
It is also useful to remember that the best food of your heart is probably not in the package. Take, for example, food like apples, avocados and leafy greens. “By focusing on the consumption of healthy, unprocessed foods rich in nutrients, you can optimize your blood pressure, blood cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attack,” says Dr. Sondergaard.
Armed with the knowledge of how to distinguish unhealthy packaged food from those who can support your heart, you can confidently browse food aisles. When in doubt, read the label – that’s what it is for!
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Sources:
“I’m a cardiologist, and these are 2 packed snacks that I swear for heart health,” the parade first appeared in 2025. July 23
Initially, this story was reported by Parade in 2025. July 23, where she first appeared.