You likely already know that you should eat a diet containing a lot of fruits and vegetables. Any kind of vegetables or fruits that you add will have health benefits. However, when it comes to heart health, some are more beneficial than others.

Two important categories of vegetables are dark, leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables. Skip the iceberg lettuce, and look for those that are dark green in color. This indicates that there are more nutrients packed inside that are good for your heart. Other important vegetables are cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and kale.

When it comes to fruit, citrus is the big winner. Fruits such as lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits are the best choices for your heart. It’s best to eat the whole fruit because you’ll get more fiber. But you can also benefit from the nutrition contained in fruit juice.

Most people have between one and three servings of fruits and vegetables each day. This is nowhere near the recommended five servings that’s a bare minimum. Even better is to eat seven to nine servings. Just don’t attempt to escalate from one serving to nine in only one day. Take it slow and add them into your diet gradually. Try these tips to help you effortlessly add some extra servings at mealtime.

If you have eggs in the morning, mix in some veggies like mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers or onions. Drink some fruit juice with your toast and coffee. Make up a smoothie containing whole fruit that you can take with you as you head out the door. You can also top your cereal with some sliced fruit.

When you make your sandwich for lunch, add lots of vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, in addition to the typical lettuce leaf. Eat a bowl of vegetable soup. Have a side salad, or make a meal of a large salad containing some protein. Adding fruit to your salad gives both a flavor and nutrition boost.

If you already eat vegetables at dinnertime, double your portions. If you’re not eating a vegetable with dinner at all, make a point of adding one. A tasty way to add more vegetables to your meal are by making hearty soups and stews. Or start each meal with a small salad.

You don’t have to make major changes to incorporate more fruits and veggies into your diet. Simply add a serving here or there. Before you know it, you’ll be eating enough to ensure that your heart wellness is at its peak.