Heart-Healthy Kitchen Hacks: 15 Delicious Ingredient Swaps That Protect Your Arteries

13. Choose Natural Peanut Butter (No Added Sugar) Over Regular Peanut Butter

Peanut butter can be a great plant protein option, but many commercial brands sneak in added sugars, hydrogenated oils, and excess salt. Natural peanut butter—just peanuts, sometimes a touch of salt—retains the monounsaturated fats associated with lower cholesterol and better arterial elasticity. Use on whole grain toast, fruit, or homemade snacks, knowing you’re making a simple, sustainable choice for your heart. If texture separates in the jar, stir before spreading—a small extra step for a big nutritional payout.

14. Sweeten with Cinnamon or Fresh Fruit Instead of Sugar

Added sugar sneaks into morning coffee, cereal, and baked goods, raising inflammation and harming your artery linings over time. Reaching for cinnamon offers subtle sweetness and has shown promising benefits for lowering blood pressure and improving cholesterol. Fresh fruit, especially berries or sliced bananas, sweetens breakfasts and snacks while serving up antioxidants that fight vascular stress. Stir cinnamon into oatmeal or yogurt, sprinkle on stewed apples, or use fresh fruit as a topper. You’ll enjoy full flavor minus the risks of excess sugar—a gentle step toward heart-happy eating.