This post is sponsored by Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. Personal opinions and thoughts are my own.
I’ve got a new recipe for you my web BFF’s, Nicoise Tacos.
Aaaannd, they’re heart healthy.
Did you know that February is National Heart Month? What better time to think about how your food choices impact your heart health?!
These Heart Healthy Nicoise Tacos are a good example of heart healthy food, and how healthy food doesn’t have to be bland.
Cholesterol is, of course, a key player in the heart health conversation. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States.
You do NOT want to go down that road!
It can be deceiving because you can’t see or feel it like some other conditions, but it can have serious consequences.
Fortunately, it’s simple to make small changes in your diet that can support heart health.
Need some inspiration for heart-healthy meal planning?
Because cardiac disease runs in my family, I have started to pay more attention to the foods I eat and become more intentional about making time for exercise.
My father, unfortunately, passed away due to heart complications, and since heart disease runs in our family, it’s become even more apparent that I need to teach my two children the importance of making heart-healthy choices.
Along with regular exercise, diet is a critical part of maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
Healthy choices really aren’t that difficult to make when you put a little bit of time into it.
These delicious tacos are actually VERY healthy for you!
It’s not that time consuming to grab a piece of fruit on your way out to work, or sub broccoli for a butter and cheese-laden side dish.
Instead of frying your food, experiment with boiling, grilling, roasting, or poaching.
Diet considerations and lifestyle changes may help, but if you’re still not able to get your cholesterol under control, your doctor may also prescribe a statin medication.
And, if you’re currently being treated for high cholesterol, you might want to double check with your doctor to make sure the statin you’re taking is the one that’s most appropriate for you.
Let’s Make Heart Healthy Nicoise Tacos
I’ve created these nicoise tacos to show you how easy it is to eat heart-healthy.
In this recipe, I’ve used white beans in place of the hardboiled egg typically seen in a nicoise dish.
The dish also includes tuna, a lean source of protein.
The olives and olive oil in the vinaigrette are both a source of healthy fats.
I typically serve this dish with guacamole, which is another heart-healthy snack.
Here’s your video tutorial!
Here’s your taco printable ==>
Heart Healthy Nicoise Tacos
Ingredients
For the Tacos
- 6 flour tortillas, soft taco size
- 2 cans albacore tuna in water, drained and flaked
- 1 can white Northern beans (or your favorite beans)
- 1 can artichoke hearts in water, roughly chopped
- 1 ripe tomato, diced
- 1 cup olives, chopped (I use black, but any olive will do)
- 1 handful red leaf lettuce, roughly chopped
For the Vinaigrette
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Add the dressing ingredients to a mason jar or dressing container, cover and shake.
- Prep a grill pan with nonstick spray over medium heat.
- Brown tortillas on each side and remove from heat.
- Assemble tacos by adding tuna, beans, artichokes, tomato, olives and lettuce to tortillas.
- Drizzle tacos with vinaigrette and serve.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 2Amount Per Serving: Calories: 607Total Fat: 37gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 29gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 1231mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 8gSugar: 4gProtein: 24g
The provided nutrition calculated may not always be accurate.
Did you make this recipe?
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Find additional resources at Take Cholesterol to Heart.
This post is sponsored by Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. and should not be construed to constitute medical advice. Personal opinions and thoughts are my own. I am not a medical professional and am not qualified to give medical advice. Please talk with your doctor about your individual medical situation.
Author
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Shea Goldstein is the voice behind Dixie Chik Cooks. She's a recipe developer and brand ambassador. She has been published in several media outlets such as Redbook, Parade, Food Blogger Magazine and more. Shea is a Southern Belle Who's Thinking About What's For Dinner While Eating Lunch.
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