February is American Heart Month, and time to show yourself some love. Heart disease is the leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the US, so make some time this month to give your heart a check up.

While there’s not much we can do about risk factors like age, genetics, race and ethnicity, there’s a LOT we can and should do to control any other risk factors. Things like quitting smoking if you’re a smoker, limiting excess alcohol use, taking medications for cholesterol, blood pressure or diabetes as prescribed, exercising regularly, aiming for a healthy weight, and eating a healthy diet – are completely in our control, so do what you can here, especially if you have a family history of heart disease.

A hundred years ago when I worked in a hospital, a heart healthy diet was called a “Cardiac Diet” and meals consisted of unsalted broiled white fish with a packet of Mrs. Dash, a baked potato with margarine instead of butter, and some sort of overcooked green vegetable. Patients hated those cardiac meals, and no wonder. If your worried about what Heart Healthy tastes like – don’t be. The heart healthy diet of today celebrates color, flavor and texture, with an emphasis on fresh, whole foods seasoned with flavorful herbs and seasonings. Fresh fish, brightly colored fruits and vegetables, chewy and delicious whole grains, creamy avocado, fruity olive oil, crunchy nuts – they’re all foods that can lower your cholesterol, strengthen your blood vessels, and reduce inflammation, and they’re all part of a heart healthy diet.

I put together some of my favorite heart loving foods in this Heart Smart Grilled Salmon Salad, but you can pick and choose any foods from this list and make your own. Use this as a start – there are no wrong choices if you’re eating fresh, whole foods like these

Heart Lover Proteins –

These are all high in protein (your heart is a muscle after all), and very low in saturated fat. Plus – these proteins pack an omega-3 punch:

Salmon

Tofu

Beans, lentils

Heart Lover Veggies –

Choose bright colors for more antioxidants!

Any leafy greens (they also have omega-3s)

Sweet potatoes, carrots, red peppers

Brussels sprouts, broccoli

Heart Lover Fruit –

Any berries (highest in antioxidants)

Red, purple or black grapes (lots of resveratrol in the skins – the stuff in wine)

Pomegranate

Melon – cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, etc.

Heart Lover Grains –

Whole grains with high fiber and lots of vitamins and minerals:

Wheat berries

Farro

Quinoa

Forbidden or brown rice

Barley

Heart Lover Fats –

These are all unsaturated, and can lower your cholesterol

Walnuts

Almonds

Avocado

Sunflower Seeds

Olives

Olive oil

Heart Smart Grilled Salmon Salad Craving Something Healthy 0 from 0 votes Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 15 mins Total Time 30 mins Servings 4 Dinner Size Servings Ingredients 1x 2x 3x 1 pound fresh salmon filet

3 cups baby salad greens

1/4 cup walnut pieces

1 cup red or black grapes

1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

1 avocado pitted and sliced Dressing 1 avocado

juice of 1 lime

juice of 1 orange + about 1 teaspoon zest

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon dijon mustard

1 tablespoon honey

water

Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper Instructions Heat grill to high, and spray with cooking oil. Sprinkle salmon with salt and pepper, and and grill salmon, skin side down, for about 10 minutes, or until cooked as desired. Remove from heat and let cool.

Place greens, walnut pieces, grapes, pomegranate seeds in a large salad bowl and toss well.

While salmon is cooling, make the dressing, but placing avocado, citrus juices, orange zest, olive oil, dijon mustard, and honey in the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste, and water if needed, to thin. Did you try this recipe? Tag @CravingSomethingHealthy and show me!!

What are your favorite heart healthy foods?