Enjoy a Healthy Heart with 5 RED Fruits & Veggies

Looking for a brighter future and a healthy heart? Then plan to enjoy more RED fruits and veggies.

The potential benefits associated with eating more fruits and vegetables add up quickly and may help improve heart health. Check out the Top 5 list below for some ideas. Each serving of these red fruits and veggies is under 100 calories and power packed with nutrients. Whether fresh, frozen or canned, these taste sensations will keep you healthy for heart month, and all year round.

Top 5 Red Fruit & Veggie Serving Ideas

1. 1. Strawberries. Eight medium berries: 50 calories, fat free, sodium free, cholesterol free and high in vitamin C and folate.

      Serving Idea: Skewer strawberries alternately with grapes and drizzle with melted white chocolate bark. A perfect party idea for school or work!

 

1. 1. Apples. One medium apple: 65 calories, 0 fat, 3 grams fiber, and just 1 milligram of sodium. A good source of vitamin C.

      Serving Idea: Place 4 washed and cored Honeycrisp apples in a casserole dish sprayed with butter-flavored cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350° F. Fill each with 1 Tablespoon of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of butter. Sprinkle apples with cinnamon. Bake for 15 minutes or until apples are tender. Serve with whipped topping sprinkled with cinnamon. Try this in your slow cooker by heating on low for 4-6 hours.

 

1. 1. Red Bell Peppers. One whole red bell pepper: 46 calories, fat free, sodium free, and 2 grams fiber. An excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of folate.

      Serving Idea: Slice red and green bell peppers instead of chips and serve with guacamole or salsa for a low-fat and virtually carbohydrate-free snack.

 

1. 1. Cherries. One cup of raw cherries: 77 calories, 0 fat, 2 grams fiber and an excellent source of vitamins A and C.

      Serving Idea: Life can be like a bowl of cherries sweet and tart … so, enjoy them on their own! Toss dried cherries into oatmeal or whole grain cereal for added flavor and fiber.

 

1. Tomatoes. One cup of cherry tomatoes: 27 calories, 0 fat, 2 grams fiber, 7 milligrams sodium and provides 57% of the daily recommendation for vitamin C. Tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene which may improve health.

   Serving Idea: Spread cherry tomatoes on a foil-lined cookie sheet, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with fresh minced garlic and roast for 20-30 minutes at 375° F. Serve roasted cherry tomatoes on salads, pasta or sandwiches. Roasted tomatoes will keep in the fridge up to 5 days.