{"id":95620,"date":"2014-02-13T08:12:23","date_gmt":"2014-02-13T13:12:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/?p=95620"},"modified":"2014-02-05T20:29:24","modified_gmt":"2014-02-06T01:29:24","slug":"5-legitimate-gimmick-free-ways-to-love-your-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/02\/5-legitimate-gimmick-free-ways-to-love-your-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Legitimate, Gimmick-Free Ways to Love Your Heart"},"content":{"rendered":"<p dir=\"ltr\">It\u2019s February, that special time of year where everything is colored red and love is in the air. Valentine\u2019s Day makes us all focus on our hearts a bit more, but instead of buying another bag of heart-shaped candies why not focus on your literal heart and the ways you can improve your heart health and the heart health of those around you?<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/heart-candy-e1391649922338.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-95646\" alt=\"heart candy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/heart-candy-e1391649922338.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Here are five ways to be good your heart and to the hearts of those you love.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>1. Serve a heart healthy dinner<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!--more-->\u00a0Whether it\u2019s a toasty night in with the family, a gathering of friends or even a romantic dinner for two, remember to serve foods that will go straight to the heart. For example, salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which protect the heart. Consider beans and nuts as add-ins or sides. Nuts like walnuts or almonds contain mono and polyunsaturated fat, while beans and legumes have omega-3s and soluble fiber. There\u2019s nothing more loving than a delicious meal that also says, \u201cI want you here for as long as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/heart-food-e1391650175608.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-95639\" alt=\"heart food\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/heart-food-e1391650175608.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>2. Share a glass of wine with someone special<\/strong><br \/>\nA single glass of red wine has been shown to have positive effects on the heart. While you enjoy the flavors, your heart will be benefitting from the antioxidants. It appears that the\u00a0polyphenols in red wine may help protect the lining of blood vessels, and the polyphenol\u00a0<strong><a title=\"Wine is good for your heart health\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/02\/drinking-wine-as-part-of-a-heart-healthy-diet\/\">resveratrol<\/a><\/strong> may also reduce bad cholesterol and prevent blood clots. Most research says that more than one glass a day may not be beneficial. So sip slowly and enjoy your loved one\u2019s company!<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/heart-wine-e1391650082445.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-95642\" alt=\"heart wine\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/heart-wine-e1391650082445.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>3. Hold hands and take a walk together<\/strong><br \/>\nWhether it\u2019s after dinner or even before you start cooking, take time to exercise together. It\u2019s no secret that exercise is good for the heart, but it\u2019s proven that having a partner to keep you accountable will higher your rate of consistency. Walking daily will <strong><a title=\"Health benefits of regular walking\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/10\/walking-your-way-slim\/\">strengthen your heart<\/a><\/strong>, improve your circulation, and even help your body use oxygen better. And, whether it&#8217;s with your spouse, friend, or children, a daily walk will also help you build a stronger relationship along with your heart.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/heart-walk-e1391650267844.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-95648\" alt=\"heart walk\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/heart-walk-e1391650267844.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>4. Laugh!<br \/>\n<\/strong>Go to a funny movie, pull out a great cartoon to watch with the kids, or even have game night. Research from the <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.heart.org\/HEARTORG\/Conditions\/More\/MyHeartandStrokeNews\/Humor-helps-your-heart-How_UCM_447039_Article.jsp\" target=\"_blank\">American Heart Association<\/a> <\/strong>states that laughter can decrease stress hormones and reduce artery inflammation. Find what tickles your funny bone and laugh until your heart\u2019s content.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/heart-laugh-e1391650023303.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-95647\" alt=\"heart laugh\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/heart-laugh-e1391650023303.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>5. Savor some dark chocolate with your love<br \/>\n<\/strong>Dark chocolate is not sweet like milk chocolate, yet it\u2019s rich in many other flavors. Consider a tasting of dark chocolate, slowly searching for those hidden flavors. While you\u2019re indulging your taste buds, know that your heart is <strong><a title=\"Cynthia Sass talks about chocolate for heart health\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/videos\/health-benefits-of-dark-chocolate\/\">reaping the benefits<\/a><\/strong>. Recent studies show that\u00a0a small amount of dark chocolate reduces the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/heart-chocolate-e1391649987700.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-95638\" alt=\"heart chocolate\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/heart-chocolate-e1391649987700.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"407\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Being good to your heart doesn\u2019t have to be a task, it can be fulfilling and delicious. Take time to love your heart this month.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Also Read:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/02\/how-to-cook-for-heart-health\/\">How to Cook for Heart Health<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/03\/eat-5-move-10-sleep-8-to-improve-heart-health\/\">Eat 5, Move 10, Sleep 8 to Improve Heart Health<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/04\/sprint-your-way-to-heart-health\/\">Sprint Your Way to Heart Health<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s February, that special time of year where everything is colored red and love is in the air. Valentine\u2019s Day makes us all focus on our hearts a bit more, but instead of buying another bag of heart-shaped candies why &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/02\/5-legitimate-gimmick-free-ways-to-love-your-heart\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3687,1367,804],"tags":[394,3028,7499,361],"class_list":["post-95620","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adult-health","category-childrens-health","category-heart-disease","tag-cardio","tag-dark-chocolate","tag-heart-health","tag-omega-3"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95620","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=95620"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95620\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":95623,"href":"https:\/\/dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95620\/revisions\/95623"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=95620"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=95620"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=95620"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}