in the kitchen by BRANDI GIVENS
in the kitchen by BRANDI GIVENS
RD , CPT
25 IN 2025 : TIPS AND FOODS THAT PROMOTE HEART HEALTH
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The beginning of each year can represent fresh starts , prompting many of us to upgrade our exercise and nutrition habits . We pickleball players have extra incentive to stay healthy : it means more years on the court !
In honor of National Heart Health Month in February , here are 25 ways to maintain your heart health . Remember that just like dinking is often more effective than slamming the ball , small gradual changes may be more sustainable than complete overhauls . Here are some simple ideas to choose from .
1 . Drink enough water . Let ’ s start here since it ’ s so important . When you don ’ t drink enough fluid , your blood thickens , causing your heart to work harder to pump it through the body . Over time , this may increase the risk of heart disease .
2 . Eat a wide variety of healthy foods . Plant-strong eating plans that include fruits , vegetables , whole grains , pulses , fish , and lean meats are hearthealthy . Consider the Mediterranean , DASH , Flexitarian , or MIND diets , which are all balanced and include infinite choices to meet individual preferences . You don ’ t have to buy anything special to start these plans , since information and recipes are free and accessible to everyone .
3 . Resistance train 2-3 times a week . We know maintaining skeletal muscle can help prevent pickleball injuries , but it also protects the heart by improving blood pressure , metabolism , blood sugar control , and cholesterol .
4 . Plan your meals ahead of time . Making time to plan and cook your meals each week is an
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