By Kac Young PhD, ND, DCH

Ever felt like you wanted to eat healthier but didn’t quite know where to start or you keep putting it off for another time? Stop right there. You don’t have to delay another day. Start eating these eight food and you’ll be on your way to a healthier heart and lower blood pressure.

1) Enjoy an orange a day. Oranges, tangerines, tangelos and grapefruit can give you a healthy, fat-free, salt-free boost anytime during the day.

2) Bake a potato or a sweet potato for potassium, which helps balance sodium. (Skip the butter and use a small amount of butter substitute or top with non-fat yogurt and herbs.)

3) Bananas provide potassium and fiber and also fill you up, fast.

4) Salmon. You receive great benefits of omega-3 fatty acids when you have this fish 3 times a week.

5) Drink skim milk. You add the multiple benefits of protein, carbohydrates, calcium and potassium.

6) Use herbs and spices like pepper, garlic, oregano, parsley, cilantro, cumin, turmeric, to flavor your meals instead of salt and butter.

7) Add spinach, beans, broccoli, cauliflower and tomatoes to your meals for added vitamins, minerals and fiber.

8) Dark chocolate! (Just when you were thinking ,”What about dessert?”) Choose a chocolate that is 45-80% cacao and eat one square a day for the benefits of antioxidants and blood vessel relaxation. Choose one with nuts and maybe you bump your quota to two squares!

Nothing has to get in the way of your heart health. Don’t postpone lowering your blood pressure. Follow these 8 tips and let your best health begin today.

– Kac Young , a former television director and producer, has earned a PhD in Natural Health and is a Doctor of both Clinical Hypnotherapy and Naturopathy. She is the author 10 books. Heart Easy™ is a system of nutritionally sound, delicious meals that promote heart health, long life and taste great. Traditional recipes are turned into heart healthy meals that anyone can make. The health results are outstanding. While earning her PhD in Natural Health and a Doctorate in Naturopathy, she completed 36 courses in nutrition from Baylor University. Learn more about your heart health at: www.HeartEasy.com