Ask a DietitianLet our nutritionists answer your questions - from the truth about lactose intolerance to how to feed a picky eater.

Answer:

Rebecca Turner
MS, RD, LD

Yes. Studies confirm that eating more low-fat dairy, fruits and vegetables should be a part of any heart healthy eating plan.

Research shows the low-fat Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan, which includes two to three servings of dairy foods and eight to ten servings of fruits and vegetables, may help lower blood pressure as much as some medications- any they taste better to. The powerful trio of minerals found in dairy foods – calcium, potassium and magnesium – may play an important role in maintaining healthy blood pressure. In fact, The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute states that DASH eating can lower systolic blood pressure as much as eight to 14 points!

Another food to consider is dark chocolate. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found eating about 30 calories a day of dark chocolate (equivalent to one square) was shown to help lower blood pressure. Choose a dark chocolate of at least 70 percent cocoa powder. But don’t get carried away, chocolate is still high in calories even if beneficial.

Feel free to indulge and be good to your heart with these delicious recipes. Sip on a Chocolate Almond Coffee Cooler or enjoy Cocoa Berry Yogurt Tarts for a dessert and your heart will thank you!