The delicious ingredient that keeps the heart in shape

The Christmas holidays are approaching: it is a time to spend time with family and friends, to enjoy, to share gifts and, above all, of copious lunches and dinners followed by after-dinner meals with the whole family… The festive atmosphere encourages us to relax and can sometimes cause us to neglect our good habits a little. However, the heart works every day of the year without rest, so it deserves that we take care of it in the most delicious way also at this time of the year.

To maintain good cardiovascular health it is essential to follow a varied and balanced diet, rich in vegetables and nuts such as walnuts. These contain very beneficial nutrients such as Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, proteins, fiber, magnesium and phosphorus, making them a source of health and a powerful ally for the optimal function of the whole organism. It has been scientifically proven that a daily serving of walnuts contributes substantially to take care of the heart, reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels and lowering blood pressure. In addition, including them in the diet is very easy thanks to their versatility to be integrated in an infinite number of recipes.

For this reason, California Walnuts and its initiative the Heart Healthy Academy, have caught the Christmas spirit to bring a gift in the form of delicious recipes to keep your heart in shape this holiday season, eating in a healthy, nutritious and tasty way.

For this occasion they have teamed up with the chef and influencer Loleta, who has prepared a delicious Christmas menu to make it possible to enjoy the holidays while taking care of our heart and that of our loved ones.

For starters, puff pastry canapés with cheese and nuts like the ones illustrating this article. For the first course, a crispy baked sea bass with walnuts.

For the second course, juicy turkey breasts with walnut and port sauce.

For dessert, how good does a lemon, walnut and blueberry sponge cake sound? It’s a sure winner and, what’s more, it’s gluten-free, so it’s ideal for everyone.

It is clear that it is not necessary to give up the taste to eat in a more special way, just adapt the typical Christmas dishes and prepare them in a healthier version to balance the intakes. Another good idea is to add salads to starters and include fruit in desserts.

Similarly, do not forget that for a healthy heart it is important to exercise regularly, but if during the holidays you find it a little more difficult, you can always move walking when possible or go for a nice walk to lower the food a little.

Taking care of yourself is easy with a little common sense, and that’s why the Heart Healthy Academy continues to provide information and also ideas for incorporating nuts into our day-to-day lives. So, if you liked this menu and were left wanting more, we remind you that California Walnuts in its Academy Cardiosaludable have many more original and tasty recipes that will keep your heart healthy and will inspire you to take care of yourself this holiday season and throughout the year.