A healthy diet can be good for your heart as well as your waistline.

February is heart month. We are dedicating this month to encourage people to adopt heart-healthy behaviors.

The following are 14 Heart Healthy Foods:

• Leafy Green Vegetables are high in vitamin K and nitrates, which can help reduce blood pressure and improve arterial function.
• Whole grain: Studies show that eating whole grains is associated with lower cholesterol and systolic blood pressure, as well as a lower risk of heart disease.
• Berries are rich in antioxidants. Studies show that eating them can reduce multiple risk factors for heart disease.
• Avocados are high in monounsaturated fats and potassium. They may help lower your cholesterol, blood pressure and risk of metabolic syndrome.
• Fatty fish and fish oil are both high in omega-3 fatty acids and may help reduce heart disease risk factors, including blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol
• Walnuts and Almonds: Studies suggest that walnuts can help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure and may be associated with a lower risk of heart disease and almonds are high in fiber and monounsaturated fats and have been linked to reductions in cholesterol and belly fat.
• Beans are high in resistant starch and have been shown to reduce levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, lower blood pressure and decrease inflammation.
• Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants like flavonoids. It has been associated with a lower risk of developing calcified plaque in the arteries and coronary heart disease.