If you're following a heart-healthy diet, this meal plan is for you! Recipes are lower in sodium and saturated fat, higher in fiber and packed with fresh fruits and veggies.
7-Day Heart-Healthy Meal Plan
Updated Jan. 31, 2022
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Day 1 Breakfast: Spiced Blueberry Quinoa
I took up eating quinoa when I found out how much protein it has. This is really an easy dish to experiment with; my first version of the recipe was made with shredded apples instead of blueberries. It's just as delicious! —Shannon Copley, Upper Arlington, Ohio
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Waldorf Turkey Pitas
Living in New York City means not having a lot of time to prepare meals. This recipe is quick, easy and healthy, making it perfect for my lifestyle. —Kevin Sobotka, Staten Island, New York
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Chicken with Citrus Chimichurri Sauce
Chimichurri is a green sauce from South America that goes with grilled meats. My citrus version brightens up grilled chicken, which gets its juiciness from brining. —Tyffanie Perez, Springville, Utah
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Day 2 Breakfast: Whole Wheat Pancakes
To fix a large batch of tender pancakes for my five children, I rely on this quick and wholesome recipe. It calls for whole wheat flour and buttermilk, which make the pancakes filling but also light. Serve them with hot chocolate for a breakfast that's sure to delight little ones. —Line Walter, Wayne, Pennsylvania
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Day 2 Lunch: Contest-Winning Easy Minestrone
This minestrone soup recipe is packed with vegetables, pasta and beans in a bright tomatoey broth. It ticks all the boxes: It's hearty, incredibly comforting and a breeze to make!
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Salmon with Horseradish Pistachio Crust
Impress everyone at your table with this elegant but easy salmon that's delicious and nutritious. You can substitute scallions for shallots if you like. —Linda Press Wolfe, Cross River, New York
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Sausage-Egg Burritos
My husband and I try to eat healthy, but finding new meals for breakfast is a challenge. By adding tomatoes, spinach and garlic to traditional eggs and egg whites, we can have a dish that is both light and satisfying.—Wendy G. Ball, Battle Creek, Michigan.
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Lemony Garbanzo Salad
Everybody goes for this super fresh salad with the cumin-coriander dressing, especially on warm days. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
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Pepper Steak with Potatoes
I added sliced red potatoes to one of my favorite recipes for Asian-style pepper steak. Now this hearty supper satisfies everyone at home, including hungry guys with big appetites. —Kristine Marra, Clifton Park, New York
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Get-Up-and-Go Granola
My family loves to have this soul-warming granola before hiking, biking or even when camping. It smells delicious while baking up and you can easily make in large batches for special occasions or to send in gift packages to family and friends. —Sabrina Olson, Otsego, Minnesota
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Hummus & Veggie Wrap-Up
I had a vegan wrap that was similar to this once when I stopped at a diner while on a long and arduous walk. I enjoyed it so much that I modified it to my own taste and now have it for lunch on a regular basis. Everyone at work wants to know how to make it. —Michael Steffens, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Turkey Medallions with Tomato Salad
This is a quick-to-cook meal using turkey medallions with a crisp coating. The turkey is enhanced by the bright flavor of a simple tomato salad. —Gilda Lester, Millsboro, Delaware
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Breakfast Sweet Potatoes
Baked sweet potatoes aren't just for dinner anymore. Top them with breakfast favorites to power up your morning. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Turkey Salsa Bowls with Tortilla Wedges
Delicious and nutritious, this dish was a favorite of the kids who participated in the junior chef classes I taught at my church. The recipe encouraged creativity and healthy eating as students designed their own salsa bowls using whole grains, vegetables and lean protein. —Jean Gottfried, Upper Sandusky, Ohio
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Black Beans and Pasta
This black bean pasta was something I created as a teenager, back when I was a vegetarian. Now that my daughter doesn't eat meat, she asks for this dinner several times a week. —Ashlynn Azar, Beaverton, Oregon
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Overnight Oatmeal
Overnight oatmeal starts your morning off on the right foot, even if both feet are running out the door as soon as you wake up. Just mix the ingredients together the night before (no cooking necessary!) and grab it on your way out to enjoy a wholesome breakfast on your schedule.
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Chicken Pasta Salad
Chicken pasta salad can be a light, healthy lunch in its own right, not just a side dish. This one is especially healthy, thanks to its use of whole wheat pasta and especially its hummus-based dressing.
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Cod and Asparagus Bake
The lemon pulls this flavorful and healthy dish together. You can use grated Parmesan cheese instead of Romano if you'd like. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
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Southwest Tortilla Scramble
Here’s my version of a deconstructed breakfast burrito that’s actually good for you. Go for hefty corn tortillas in this recipe. Flour ones can get lost in the scramble. —Christine Schenher, Exeter, California
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Tuna and White Bean Lettuce Wraps
Here's a fabulous way to dress up ordinary tuna salad. This easy recipe makes a quick dinner or lunch at the office, and it's good for you. —Heather Senger, Madison, Wisconsin
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Day 7 Dinner: Apple-Cherry Pork Medallions
If you think you’re too busy to cook a first-class meal, my pork medallions with tangy apple-cherry sauce, rosemary and thyme deliver the goods in a hurry. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, ILOriginally Published: June 21, 2018
