Don't eat your heart out!

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, February is also Heart Health month. And while many of you reading this may think, "I'm too young for heart disease", think again. Heart disease is still the number one killer in America- beating out cancer, diabetes and other chronic illnesses. And if a close blood relative died at a young age (read under 50) of a heart attack or stroke, your chance for heart disease is much higher than the average bloke.Below are 5 foods to eat (or drink) to protect your ticker.1. Coffee. Yup, you read that right. Once demonized for raising your heart rate, studies show that coffee drinkers have lower rates of heart disease than non-drinkers. A Korean study found that subjects that consumed 3-5 cups of coffee/day had lower rates of calcium deposits in their arteries than non-drinkers. If you're caffeine-sensitive, go for decaf. And by all means, go easy on the cream and sugar, or add skim or soy milk to your cup.2. Beans. I friggin' love beans. They're versatile, inexpensive and taste good. The beauty of beans is their high soluble fiber content- the type that binds up cholesterol in your blood. Go for black, navy, pinto, red, kidney, Great Northern, or any others you like. Rinsing canned beans under water reduces sodium content by 30%.3. Apples. An apple a day does keep the doctor away. Studies show that eating one apple a day prevents strokes. Enjoy one with peanut butter as a snack, or chop it up and add to your salad or yogurt.4. Fish. Fish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids- an unsaturated fat that helps reduce inflammation in the body and lower triglyceride levels. Fatty fish such as salmon, lake trout, herring, sardines and tuna, have the highest omega-3 fatty acids and thus the most benefit. Aim for at least 2 (3 oz.) servings of fish per week.5. Leafy greens. I eat a pile (1-2 cups) of spinach or other greens every day. Here's why. Leafy greens like kale, spinach, collards and other greens are high in potassium and lutein- two nutrients that are key in preventing heart disease. Potassium helps manage blood pressure and lutein helps prevent arterial walls from thickening. Add greens to eggs, salads, smoothies, soups, casseroles and sauces. Greens are high in folate and fiber to boot.