Helping people to live healthy lives is what we do at Sprouts! Living our Value of Care touches not just our customers, but our team members, too! 
February is American Heart Month – a time dedicated to raising awareness to help people understand risk factors for heart disease and how to live a heart-healthy lifestyle. The National Institutes of Health offers this simple infographic, “28 Days Toward a Healthy Heart” that you can check find one helpful tip for each day of this month.
While most of us know that getting enough exercise, quitting smoking, and stressing less can lead to a better, heart-healthier lifestyle, we checked in with Sprouts Culinary Director, Matt Pratta (Chef Matt to most of us), for some Sprouts insider tips when it comes to heart-healthy
cooking options.
“For a heart-healthy diet I always say that cooking at home will definitely help you avoid saturated fats, extra sodium, and processed foods,” said Chef Matt. Those are exactly the things to avoid if you’re trying to follow a heart-healthy diet.
“Sprouts has a lot of healthy protein options, from fish and seafood (which also includes micronutrients and is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, or the “healthy fats”) to plant-based proteins like legumes,” explained Chef Matt. “For example, I love cooking with lentils. I make lentils with olive oil, smoked paprika, caramelized leeks and onion, low-sodium broth, fresh herbs, and lemon juice and serve it with
pan-seared salmon.”
Chef Matt explained that instead of using salt when you cook, use natural flavor enhancers like spices, fresh herbs, and lemon juice which can really add
great flavor to your dishes.
As Sprouts Culinary Directory, Chef Matt develops menu offerings and product selections that put health, quality, and authenticity at its center while seeking out new and exciting flavors and experiences for our customers.
Your good health is worth the effort you put into it! For more resources check out the following: