Steam Your Kale
You know that kale is a nutrient powerhouse, but here’s another reason to love it—it can help lower cholesterol. That’s because the leafy green contains special compounds that prevent fat and cholesterol from being reabsorbed by the body. Researchers found that steaming kale increases this effect.
Up Your Pasta Game
Get more bang from your pasta by switching to a plant-based pasta made from chickpeas. “The amino acids in beans may help replete healthy cells in the body, which can help stave off disease, improve heart health, and reduce inflammation,” says Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, MS, RD, CDN. One she likes: Banza, which is made from chickpeas and packs in high quantities of protein. “It’s low in sodium, which can help protect against the development of high blood pressure, a condition that is known to negatively impact heart health,” she says.
