Heart Healthy Tips from Mrs. Claus

• Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids- My favorites include flax seeds, chia seeds, fish and I often take supplements with omega-3 in them.

• Exercise- Fitness plays a very important role in heart health. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of exercise about 5 times per week. My favorite is walking, a bit of running and lifting hand weights.

• Take your vitamins- In the winter especially (and basically for the last year since I was pregnant and am now breastfeedng), I take a multi-vitamin. I usually take one that already has omega-3 in it but if it does not, then I take a fish oil supplement along with the multi-vitamin. Since our diets are not always perfect, I think it can be a good idea for many people to take a supplement.

• Eat a nutrient rich diet- Focus on whole grains, lean proteins and lots of fruits and vegetables. Vitamins D and E especially help to promote heart health. 

• Limit the sweets- Foods like cake, cookies and candy this time of year are not the healthiest choices. Have your favorite treats a couple of times this holiday season and enjoy healthier foods the rest of the time.

Mrs. Claus (yes, the wife of Santa), want to push heart health this holiday season. On the new Claus Nutrition website, you can find tips about nutrition and heart health. There is a letter from Mrs. Claus encouraging heart health, information about heart healthy supplements, a video from Mrs. Claus, a breakdown of foods that are not as healthy choices during the holidays and better-for-you choices and more.