Flavorful, Filling and Good for Your Heart

Skipping meat can be good for your heart:

• Vegetarian dishes are typically high in fiber, which fights high cholesterol.
• When you omit meat, you consume fewer calories, which can help with weight management.
• You’ll typically end up eating extra antioxidants when you go meatless, which can protect against heart disease.

“By omitting meat from your diet — even here and there — you’re reducing your saturated and trans-fat intake, which can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce your risk of heart disease,” says Cardiologist Kameswari Maganti, MD, Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute.

Start with these heart-healthy meatless recipes from Bariatric Dietitian Audra Wilson, RD, LDN, Northwestern Medicine Delnor Metabolic Health and Surgical Weight Loss Center.