Deliciously Heart Healthy Dishes
Chef Antonia Lofaso’s Surprisingly Easy Tips for Great Tasting Food for the Heart
(Family Features) Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in the United States; yet, it is largely preventable with the help of a heart-healthy diet.
Celebrity Chef Antonia Lofaso, a fan favorite on Bravo’s “Top Chef All-Stars,” knows firsthand how important it is to eat heart healthy. Her mother was recently diagnosed with early signs of heart disease, and both women have been working together to make small changes in the kitchen. Here are a few of their favorite heart-healthy eating tips:
Pantry Potential: Fill the pantry with heart-healthy surprises that add crunch, dimension and layers of flavor without too much salt, fat and sugar. Good solid flavor boosters include nuts or homemade croutons, flavorful soups as ready-made marinades, dried fruits for balanced sweetness, and herbs and spices.
Swap it Out: Any heart-healthy eating plan needs to taste good, so consider swapping out ingredients in family favorite recipes, like lasagna. Consider subbing out ingredients like heavy cream and cheese with ingredients that naturally boost flavor, like acid from citrus fruit or even lower sodium cream of chicken or mushroom soup.
Look at the Label: When grocery shopping, read labels to identify high-quality ingredients and products that are heart healthy. Not quite sure what to look for? The American Heart Association makes it easy with their Heart Check mark, which indicates a product has met their criteria for a heart-healthy food.
Chef Lofaso has taken these tips and put them into action with her fresh, seasonal take on Panzanella salad. With cues from her Italian roots, the addition of vibrant, seasonal fruits and vegetables, such as arugula, red onion and tangerines, and an added boost of flavor from Campbell’s(r) Healthy Request(r) Tomato soup, this dish is perfect for any night of the week or a heart-healthy lunch at work.
