This Valentine’s Day, serve the perfect, heart healthy meal from start to finish.

Appetizer

Start with a tomato and roasted red pepper soup. Tomatoes and red peppers are heart healthy superfoods. Peppers are a great source of beta carotene and vitamin C which help prevent atherosclerosis (the buildup of plaque and hardening of blood vessels).

Tomatoes contain Salicylate, which has an anti-clotting effect on the blood. Along with salicylate, they also contain something called Lycopene, which is a great antioxidant that helps to lower bad cholesterol.

Beverage

Serve red wine with the meal. Red wine contains antioxidants called polyphenols that may help protect the lining of the heart’s blood vessels.

Research suggests that one polyphenol, Resveratrol, may protect blood vessels from damage, reduce bad (LDL) cholesterol, and even prevent blood clots.

Entrée

Instead of pasta or red meat, serve salmon as the entree. Salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can decrease the risk of arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats), slow the buildup of plaque in arteries, and assist in lowering blood pressure.

Dessert

Skip the chocolate and serve a delightful berry parfait for dessert. Berries are antioxidant powerhouses and great for your heart.

Simply sprinkle berries and low fat granola on top of Greek yogurt and your dessert will be ready to serve!