Avocados
Millennials may get teased for their love of avocado toast, but when it comes to heart health, they’re on to something. Research shows that people who ate an avocado a day had lower levels of LDL – the so-called bad cholesterol, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. “Avocados are a good source of monounsaturated fat and soluble fibre,” says dietitian Tracy Severson. “But they have a lot of calories, so it’s important to watch the portions.”
Bananas
Foods that are high in potassium can help keep blood pressure in check, the Australian Heart Foundation points out, and bananas are one of the richest dietary sources of this nutrient. A medium banana has about 420 mg of potassium—approximately one-tenth of the daily recommended intake, Morey says.
Barley
Barley can be one of the best foods for your heart: a healthy whole grain high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The “can be” is because much of the barley eaten is called pearled or pearl barley, which is partially refined. The pearling process removes part of the bran layer, which means the end product is no longer whole grain and is lower in heart-healthy fibre. “Look for whole hulled barley, which has more fibre,” says Severson.