3 Heart-Healthy Ways to Start Your Day

While most nutritionists agree that breakfast is the most powerful meal of the day, you can make sure that your first meal of the day packs an extra heart-healthy punch by following these three easy steps:

Go for Oatmeal or Oat-Based Cereals
Oats are one of the best natural sources of soluble fiber. Three grams of soluble fiber per day, when part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Grab Some Fruit
Fruits and vegetables provide a wide range of vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants that can help protect against the effects of aging, and help reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease. Make sure you get at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

Watch Your Intake of Sodium
Many processed breakfast foods contain high levels of sodium for flavor and as a preservative. While sodium is important to the body, a high sodium diet is associated with hypertension (also known has high blood pressure). To minimize your intake of sodium, read labels and avoid foods that are high in sodium.