7 Day Heart Healthy Diet Meal Plan (PDF & Menu) (2024)

The impact of diet on heart health is a well-established fact backed by extensive scientific research.

The foods we consume play a crucial role in shaping our cardiovascular well-being, influencing key factors such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure, inflammation, and overall cardiac function.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of following a diet for heart health, including a sample 7-day plan featuring daily meals and a corresponding shopping list.

Heart-Healthy Foods to Eat

In general, the sorts of foods you’ll want to eat regularly include:

• Fruits: Fruits provide significant benefits for heart health through their rich content of fiber, which aids in managing cholesterol levels and promoting healthy digestion. They are also high in antioxidants, which help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, key factors in the development of heart disease.
• Vegetables: Vegetables are low in calories and high in fiber, promoting heart health by lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease.
• Fatty Fish: Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, trout, and sardines are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats help reduce inflammation, lower triglyceride levels, and promote heart health.
• Legumes: Legumes: Beans, lentils, chickpeas, and other legumes are rich in fiber, protein, and nutrients. They can help lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, and maintain healthy blood sugar levels, supporting heart health.
• Whole Grains: Opt for whole grains like oats, brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat bread. These grains are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and can help lower cholesterol levels and maintain a healthy heart.
• Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds are excellent sources of heart-healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants. They can help reduce bad cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease when consumed in moderation.
• Olive Oil: Olive oil is a healthier alternative to other oils higher in saturated fats. It is rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and improve heart health.

Foods to Limit

By all means, treat yourself occasionally – but don’t make a habit of eating these foods regularly:

• Junk foods:fast food and potato chips
• Refined carbohydrates:white bread, pasta, crackers, flour tortillas, biscuits
• Fried foods:french fries, donuts, fried meats
• Sugar-sweetened beverages:soda, tea with added sugar, sports drinks
• Processed meats: bacon, canned meat, salami, sausages
• Trans fats: vegetable oil and margarine

Heart Healthy Diet Tips

In general, here are some of the basic tips you’ll want to follow to ensure you’re eating as healthy as possible:

Reduce Your Saturated Fats

Eating more saturated fat can increase “bad” LDL cholesterol levels in your body. High levels of LDL cholesterol have been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and cardiovascular disease.

Some simple ways to reduce the saturated fat in your diet include:

• Choosing leaner meat cuts like chicken and reduced-fat mince
• Choose reduced-fat dairy products like semi-skimmed milk
• Swap out butter for healthier alternatives such as extra virgin olive oil.

Replace Refined Grains with Whole Grains

Whole grains are made up of the germ, endosperm and bran. The germ and bran contain important vitamins and minerals as well as fiber. Refining grains removes these nutritious parts, leaving a rapidly digested starch.

Refined grains have been shown to contribute to major swings in blood sugar levels and overeating (1). By comparison, eating whole grains can lead to a 20% lower risk of heart disease and stroke (2).

Some simple ways to reduce the saturated fat in your diet include:

• Barley
• Brown rice
• Bulgur wheat
• Oatmeal
• Whole-wheat bread
• Whole-wheat pasta

Eat Fiber-Rich Foods

Fiber-rich foods can help increase feelings of fullness, helping you control your portion sizes. Fiber may also promote the release of satiety hormones (3, 4).

Both of these factors ultimately mean that you eat less naturally, without having to think about it.

Foods high in fiber include:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Legumes
• Oats
• Nuts
• Whole grains

Use Less Sodium or Salt

Eating too much salt can lead to high blood pressure, a leading cause of cardiovascular disease.

Using herbs and spices instead of salt can replace the flavor that is lost from salt. Different herbs and spices also contain various antioxidants which may provide health benefits. For example:

• Cinnamon has been shown to lower blood sugar levels in diabetics (5,6,7)
• Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, a component that may help reduce appetite (8,9,10)
• Ginger has been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory properties (11)

Although these benefits are likely to be small, they make for a healthier overall diet when combined less salt being used.

Eat Less Sugar

Diets high in sugar have been shown to increase various diseases. The risk of heart disease is particularly common and is the number one cause of death globally (12).

High-sugar diets can cause obesity, inflammation, high triglycerides and blood sugar levels, just to name a few (13).

Obesity is also the strongest riskfactor for diabetes (14).

Some easy ways to reduce the amount of sugar in your diet include:

• Drink less sugary beverages like soda and juice. Drink more water instead.
• Snack on fruit, nuts and seeds. Keep the sugary treats for special occasions, or eat them in smaller sizes.
• Check food labels for hidden sugar. Although low-fat products are good for reducing saturated fat intake, they may replace the fat with sugar.

What’s the Best Heart-Healthy Diet?

The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the best diets to follow for heart health. It was ranked the number 1 diet according to the U.S. News & World Report.

In particular, it is rated amongst the best because of how healthy it is as well as how easy it is to follow. This makes it a perfect diet to follow if you want to find a sustainable way of eating healthy long-term.

It is high in the foods that help fight inflammatory markers such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish, and healthy oils.

Many credible organizations suggest following a Mediterranean diet for health reasons. These include:

• Harvard Medical School
• Arthritis Foundation
• Mayo Clinic
• Osteoarthritis Foundation Internal

Heart-Healthy Diet Meal Plan

Sample Menu

In the meal plan are recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Snacks are recommended between meal times. Some good snacks include:

• A handful of nuts or seeds
• A piece of fruit
• Carrots or baby carrots
• Berries or grapes

Day 1: Monday

Breakfast: Breakfast Blues Porridge

Nutrition

• Calories – 347
• Protein – 15g
• Carbs – 42g
• Fat – 15g

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• ½ cup (50g) porridge oats
• ⅚ cup (200ml) milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
• ⅛ cup (25g) chia seeds
• ¾ cup (150g) blueberries
• ⅓ cup (25g) flaked almonds

Instructions

1. Mix the porridge oats, milk, vanilla extract, Greek yogurt and chia seeds in a bowl and soak for one minute. Once the oats have softened, add some of the blueberries.
2. Place the mixture into two bowls and add any remaining berries and almonds.

Lunch: Greek Salad

Nutrition

• Calories – 273
• Protein – 6g
• Carbs – 14g
• Fat – 24g

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• ⅘ cup (120g) cherry tomatoes,
• 1 cucumber, peeled, deseeded and roughly chopped
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• ⅓ (60g) or about 16 Kalamata olives
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ⅓ cup (50g) feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Place all of the ingredients in a large bowl and lightly season. Serve with wholemeal bread.

Dinner: Haddock Risotto

Nutrition

• Calories – 508
• Protein – 40g
• Carbs – 46g
• Fat – 15g

Prep time + cook time: 45 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large leek, thinly sliced
• ¾ cup (150g) risotto rice, such as arborio or carnaroli
• 1 ½ cups (350ml) vegetable stock
• ½ cup (125ml) milk
• 9-10 oz (280g) smoked haddock,
• skinned and cut into large chunks
• 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
• 1 ⅔ cups (50g) baby spinach

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400F (200C). Heat the oil in an oven-proof dish over a medium heat. Cook the leek for 4-5 minutes, until just tender. Add the rice and stir for 2 extra minutes.
2. Add the stock and milk, bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the haddock on top. Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 18 minutes until the rice is tender.
3. Add the Greek yogurt and spinach and season. Cover the pan again and leave to rest out of the oven for 3 minutes before serving.

Day 2: Tuesday

Breakfast: Tomato and Watermelon Salad

Nutrition

• Calories – 177
• Protein – 5g
• Carbs – 13g
• Fat – 13g

Prep time + cook time:5 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• ¼ tsp chilli flakes
• 1 tbsp chopped mint
• ⅘ cup (120g) cherry tomatoes, chopped
• 1 ⅔ cups (250g) watermelon, cut into chunks
• ⅔ cup (100g) feta cheese, crumbled

Instructions

1. For the dressing, Mix the oil, vinegar, chilli flakes and mint and then season.
2. Put the tomatoes and watermelon into a bowl. Pour over the dressing, add the feta, then serve.

Lunch: Falafel Wraps

Nutrition

• Calories – 424
• Protein – 21g
• Carbs – 44g
• Fat – 21g

Prep time + cook time: 12 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 2 wholemeal wraps
• 4 falafels (about 3.5 oz / 100g)
• ½ avocado
• Small bunch of parsley, chopped
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 tbsp harissa

For the tahini sauce:

• ¼ cup (60g) Greek yogurt
• ½ tbsp tahini
• ½ lemon, juiced
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• ¼ tsp ground cumin

Instructions

1. To make the tahini sauce, add the ingredients plus some seasoning to a bowl and mix together.
2. Heat a dry frying pan over a medium heat and warm the flatbread for 1 minute, flipping halfway through. Spoon some tahini sauce on the flatbread along with the falafel and tahini. Scatter the parsley, squeeze the lime juice and add the harissa. Roll and serve.

Dinner: Eggplant Lentil Bake

Nutrition

• Calories – 444
• Protein – 17g
• Carbs – 52g
• Fat – 20g

Prep time + cook time: 60 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 eggplant / aubergine, sliced lengthways
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ⅓ cup (70g) lentils
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• ¾ cup (150g) cooked butternut squash
• 7 oz can (200g) chopped tomatoes
• ½ small pack basil leaves
• ⅓ cup (60g) feta

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 425F (220C). Add oil to each eggplant side. Lay on baking sheets, season and bake for 15-20 minutes, turning once. Cook lentils following pack instructions.
2. Heat oil in frying pan. Add onions and garlic and cook until soft. Add squash & tomatoes, plus ½ can of water. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens. Stir in lentils, basil & seasoning.
3. Spoon layer of lentils into baking dish, then eggplant slices and repeat. Scatter feta and bake for 15 more minutes until cheese is golden.

Day 3: Wednesday

Breakfast: Basil & Spinach Scramble

Nutrition

• Calories – 294
• Protein – 16g
• Carbs – 8g
• Fat – 24g

Prep time + cook time:10 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ⅔ cup (100g) cherry tomatoes
• 4 eggs
• ¼ cup (60ml) milk
• handful basil, chopped
• 6 cups (180g) baby spinach
• black pepper

Instructions

1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan and add the tomatoes. While they are cooking, beat the eggs in a jug and add the milk, black pepper and basil.
2. Remove the tomatoes from the pan and place on the plates. Add the oil, spinach and egg mixture to the pan, stirring occasionally until the eggs scramble. Once set, add to the plates and serve.

Lunch: Carrot, Orange and Avocado Salad

Nutrition

• Calories – 177
• Protein – 5g
• Carbs – 13g
• Fat – 13g

Prep time + cook time:5 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 orange, plus zest and juice of 1
• 2 carrots, halved lengthways and sliced with a peeler
• 35g / 1 ½ cups rocket / arugula
• 1 avocado, stoned, peeled and sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Cut the segments from 1 of the oranges and put in a bowl with the carrots, rocket/arugula and avocado. Whisk together the orange juice, zest and oil. Toss through the salad, and season.

Dinner: Med Chicken, Quinoa and Greek Salad

Nutrition

• Calories – 424
• Protein – 33g
• Carbs – 50g
• Fat – 21g

Prep time + cook time:20 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• ⅗ cup (100g) quinoa
• ½ red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, chopped
• handful pitted black kalamata olives
• ½ red onion, finely sliced
• ⅓ cup (50g) feta cheese, crumbled
• small bunch mint leaves, chopped
• juice and zest ½ lemon

Instructions

1. Cook the quinoa following the pack instructions, then rinse in cold water and drain thoroughly.
2. Meanwhile, toss the chicken fillets in the olive oil with some seasoning, chilli and garlic. Lay in a hot pan and cook for 3-4 minutes each side or until cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside
3. Next, tip the tomatoes, olives, onion, feta and mint into a bowl. Toss in the cooked quinoa. Stir through the remaining olive oil, lemon juice and zest, and season well. Serve with the chicken on top.

Day 4: Thursday

Breakfast: Breakfast Blues Porridge

Lunch: Mixed Bean Salad

Nutrition

• Calories – 240
• Protein – 11g
• Carbs – 22g
• Fat – 12g

Prep time + cook time:10 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• ⅘ cups (145g) artichoke heart in oil
• ½ tbsp sundried tomato paste
• ½ tsp red wine vinegar
• 7 oz can (200g) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• ⅘ cup (120g) cherry tomatoes, chopped
• handful Kalamata black olives
• 2 spring onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal
• ⅔ cup (100g) feta cheese, crumbled

Instructions

1. Drain the jar of artichokes, reserving 1-2 tbsp of oil. Add the oil, sun-dried tomato paste and vinegar and stir until smooth. Season to taste.
2. Chop the artichokes and tip into a bowl. Add the cannellini beans, tomatoes, olives, spring onions and half of the feta cheese. Stir in the artichoke oil mixture and tip into a serving bowl. Crumble over the remaining feta cheese, then serve.

Dinner: Grilled Vegetables with Bean Mash

Nutrition

• Calories – 314
• Protein – 19g
• Carbs – 33g
• Fat – 16g

Prep time + cook time:40 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 pepper, deseeded & quartered
• 1 eggplant (aubergine), sliced lengthways
• 2 zucchini (courgettes), sliced lengthways
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the mash

• 14 oz (400g) can haricot beans, rinsed
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• ⅖ cup (100ml) vegetable stock
• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro (coriander

Instructions

1. Heat the grill. Arrange the vegetables over a grill pan &brush lightly with oil. Grill until lightly browned, turn them over, brush again with oil, then grill until tender.
2. Meanwhile, put the beans in a pan with garlic and stock. Bring to the boil, then simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Mash roughly with a potato masher. Divide the vegetables and mash between 2 plates, drizzle over oil and sprinkle with black pepper and coriander.

Day 5: Friday

Breakfast: Tomato and Watermelon Salad

Lunch: Panzanella Salad

Nutrition

• Calories – 452
• Protein – 6g
• Carbs – 37g
• Fat – 25g

Prep time + cook time:10 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 2 cups (300g) cherry tomatoes, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 tbsp capers, drained and rinsed
• 1 avocado, stoned, peeled and chopped
• 1 small red onion, very thinly sliced
• 2 slices of brown bread
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• small handful basil leaves

Instructions

1. Chop the tomatoes and put them in a bowl. Season well and add the garlic, capers, avocado and onion. Mix well and set aside for 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, tear the bread into chunks and place in a bowl. Drizzle over half of the olive oil and half of the vinegar. When ready to serve, scatter tomatoes and basil leaves and drizzle with remaining oil and vinegar. Stir before serving.

Dinner: Salmon & Chickpea Salad

Nutrition

• Calories – 351
• Protein – 25g
• Carbs – 34g
• Fat – 14g

Prep time + cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 large red pepper, quartered and deseeded
• ½ lemon, zest and juice
• pinch smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 ⅓ cup (100g) baby spinach
• 2 salmon fillets
• 14 oz (400g) can chickpeas

Instructions

1. Heat the grill and grill the pepper quarters for 5 minutes. Leave the grill on. Transfer the peppers to a bowl & leave to cool slightly. Peel off the skins & cut the flesh into strips.
2. Whisk the lemon zest, juice, smoked paprika, olive oil & seasoning. Toss half the dressing with the spinach leaves and divide between 2 bowls.
3. Season the salmon and grill for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the chickpeas in their canning liquid for 3-4 minutes, drain well, then mix with the remaining dressing & strips of pepper. Spoon over spinach and top with salmon to serve.

Day 6: Saturday

Breakfast: Basil & Spinach Scramble

Lunch: Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup

Nutrition

• Calories – 238
• Protein – 11g
• Carbs – 34g
• Fat – 7g

Prep time + cook time:25 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• pinch chilli flakes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups (300g) carrots, washed and coarsely grated
• ⅓ cup (70g) split red lentils
• 2 ¼ cups (500ml) hot vegetable stock
• ¼ cup (60ml) milk
• Greek yogurt, to serve

Instructions

1. Heat a large saucepan and dryfry the cumin seeds and chilli flakes for 1 minute. Scoop out about half of the seeds with a spoon and set aside. Add the oil, carrot, lentils, stock and milk to the pan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 15 minutes until the lentils have swollen and softened.
2. Whizz the soup with a stick blender or in a food processor until smooth. Season to taste and finish with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a sprinkling of the reserved toasted spices.

Dinner:Chicken Gyros

Nutrition

• Calories – 296
• Protein – 26g
• Carbs – 29g
• Fat – 8g

Prep time + cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 chicken breast, cut into chunks
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ tsp oregano
• 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
• 8-10cm (about half) piece cucumber,
• 2 tbsp mint, chopped
• 2 wholemeal pita bread
• ⅓ cup (50g) cherry tomatoes
• 1 roasted red pepper from jar, sliced

Instructions

1. Heat a frying pan with some olive oil over a medium heat. Cover the chicken chunks with oregano, then add to the pan with the garlic and some pepper. Cook for 5 minutes or so until cooked through.
2. Meanwhile, grate the cucumber and squeeze out the excess water. Add the yogurt, grated cucumber and mint to make the tzatziki.
3. Cut the tops of the pittas on their longest side. Layer in the chicken, tomatoes and red pepper. If eating immediately, add the tzatziki. If taking away, keep the tzatziki in a separate container and add before eating to stop the pitta going soggy.

Day 7: Sunday

Breakfast: Breakfast Blues Porridge

Lunch: Moroccan Chickpea Soup

Nutrition

• Calories – 408
• Protein – 15g
• Carbs – 63g
• Fat – 11g

Prep time + cook time:25 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ medium onion, chopped
• 1 celery sticks, chopped
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 ¼ cups (300ml) hot vegetable stock
• 7 oz can (200g) chopped tomatoes
• 7 oz can (200g) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• ¼ cup (50g) frozen broad beans
• zest and juice ½ lemon
• cilantro (coriander) & bread to serve

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a saucepan, then fry the onion and celery for 10 minutes until softened. Add the cumin and fry for another minute.
2. Turn up the heat, then add the stock, tomatoes, chickpeas and black pepper. Simmer for 8 minutes. Add broad beans and lemon juice and cook for a further 2 minutes. Top with lemon zest and coriander.

Dinner: Spicy Mediterranean Beet Salad

Nutrition

• Calories – 548
• Protein – 23g
• Carbs – 58g
• Fat – 20g

Prep time + cook time:40 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 8 raw baby beetroots, or 4 medium, scrubbed
• ½ tbsp sumac
• ½ tbsp ground cumin
• 14 oz can (400g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Zest and juice, ½ lemon
• ⅚ cup (200g) Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp harissa paste
• 1 tsp crushed red chilli flakes
• mint leaves, chopped, to serve

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 425F (220C). Halve or quarter beetroots depending on size. Mix spices together. On a large baking tray, mix chickpeas and beetroot with the oil. Season with salt & sprinkle over the spices. Mix again. Roast for 30 minutes.
2. While the vegetables are cooking, mix the lemon zest and juice with the yogurt. Swirl the harissa through and spread into a bowl. Top with the beetroot & chickpeas, and sprinkle with the chilli flakes & mint

Heart Healthy Diet Shopping List

This shopping list corresponds to the 7 day plan, serving 2 people. No snacks are included.

28 Day Hearty Healthy Mediterranean Plan

We’ve created a 4-week Mediterranean-style diet meal plan for heart health that follows the same format as this 7-day meal plan pdf. It contains FOUR weeks of meal plans, recipes, shopping lists and prep guides – all available in digital format.

Click here to grab your copy of the 28 day Mediterranean diet plan for heart health!

Disclosure

We would like to take a moment to note that this post is for information purposes only. It does not claim to provide medical advice or to be able to treat any medical condition. It makes no claims with respect to weight loss, either in terms of the amount or rate at which weight loss could be achieved. If you have any concerns regarding your health please contact your medical practitioner before making changes.