Heart-healthy foods provide the body with a powerful nutrient called phytonutrients, which prevents cell damage. This is the essence of preventing heart disease. So, what are these so-called foods? It’s in the colorful fruits and vegetables, the whole grains, beans, and legumes that offer all kinds of complex yet heart-protective nutrients. Everyone’s looking for one food that will do the trick. However, heart-healthy is more than just oatmeal and omega 3′s. You have to come at it from a holistic view.

The Cleveland Clinic and the American Diabetic Association has put together a top healthy foods for the heart list and ideas for dishes.

Colorful Vegetables and Fruits

1. Salmon: grilled with a side of brown rice and marinade; or cooked with pasta or salad.

2. Flaxseeds: mix in with yogurt, morning cereal, home-baked muffins, or cookies.

3. Oatmeal: Hot oatmeal with fresh fruits; or oatmeal-and-raisin cookies.

4. Black Beans: stir in these beans with your salad!

5. Almonds: Mix the almonds in your salad, yogurt, trail mix, or just eat them as a snack

6. Walnuts: Do the same with walnuts…add to your salad, pastas, cookies, muffins, or even pancakes.

7. Red Wine: Cheers to good health!

8. Tuna: tuna salad with greens, fresh fruit, and canned tuna.

9. Tofu: grilled or stir-fry with soy sauce.

10. Brown rice: pretty much compatible with every entree.

11. Soy Milk: great for cereal and oatmeal, or a soy smoothie

12. Blueberries: salads, fruit salads, muffins and more.

13. Carrots: Baby carrots with low-fat ranch.

14. Spinach: Salads or pack in a sandwich.

15. Broccoli: Veggie dip or home-made hummus

16. Sweet potato: Eat as is and enjoy the sweetness of it.

17. Red bell peppers: great for wraps, salads, and sandwiches.

18. Asparagus: grill or steam lightly. Eat with olive oil or lemon.

19. Oranges: juiced or sliced, it’s that simple.

20. Tomatoes: pack in sandwiches, salads, pastas, and pizzas.

21. Acorn squash: baked and serve with spinach or nuts.

22. Cantaloupe: great for a quick breakfast or snack or dessert.

23. Papaya: make salsa and mix with pineapple, scallions, garlic, fresh lime juice and black peppers.

24. Dark chocolate: A small chunk of 70% or higher cocoa is great.

25. Tea: Served hot or cold, you can never go wrong with tea.

Also, be sure to look for these nutrients below when shopping for groceries: vitamins C and D, magnesium, potassium, calcium, B vitamins, and omega 3 fatty acids. They all play an important role in preventing heart disease.