Dr Francesco Lo Monaco has pointed out that standard grocery items<\/a> offer genuine benefits while keeping shopping bills steady<\/a>. Your focus should be on practical kitchen changes that provide steady, lasting support rather than on costly, quick fixes.<\/p>\n EAT WELLWhat the doctor advises<\/p>\n A preventive cardiologist and founder of The National Heart Clinic<\/a> in London, Dr Lo Monaco, noted that simple pantry items often do the most effective work. He explained that people do not need to rely on high-priced health powders<\/a> to see a positive change in their everyday well-being.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople often think looking after their heart means buying expensive supplements or completely overhauling their diet,\u201d he said. \u201cBut some of the most practical changes start with ordinary foods<\/a> you can pick up for very little money. The key is to eat them regularly as part of a balanced diet, rather than expecting one ingredient to do all the work.\u201d He recommends these five everyday items to set you on your way to a healthier heart.<\/p>\n Pearl barley<\/p>\n This inexpensive grain serves as a great way to prevent fatty substances from building up in your body. Packed with beta-glucan (the same soluble fibre found<\/a> in oats), it directly binds to cholesterol-rich bile acids in the digestive system, prompting the body to pull LDL cholesterol from the blood. Including it in your meals regularly helps control harmful fats without straining your wallet.<\/p>\n \u201cPearl barley is a brilliant example of an overlooked food that offers real nutritional value without costing a fortune,\u201d Dr Lo Monaco said. \u201cIt is affordable, filling and easy to add to soups, stews and casseroles. Swapping it for some of the rice or pasta you would normally eat is a simple way to introduce more fibre into your diet.\u201d<\/p>\n Typical cost: \u00a31.20 for a 500g bag (around 12p per 50g dry serving) Tinned pulses and dried split peas<\/a> offer an affordable way to boost natural roughage and plant goodness while cutting back on animal fats. These cupboard staples serve as a direct replacement for fatty mince and processed sausages in hearty evening dinners. <\/p>\n \u201cBeans and lentils are among the simplest ways to improve the balance of your diet. Try replacing some of the meat in a chilli, curry or shepherd\u2019s pie with lentils or beans. You can stretch a meal further while increasing its fibre content,\u201d Dr Lo Monaco said.<\/p>\n Typical cost: 49p – 55p per 400g tin of pulses; \u00a31.15 for 500g dried lentils (around 15p – 20p per portion)Ground linseed<\/p>\n Also known as flaxseed, this seed combines digestion-friendly fibre and essential fats. Incorporating a small spoonful into your breakfast bowl helps keep your circulatory system in check over time. <\/p>\n It’s important to choose the ground variety, as whole flaxseeds pass through the gut undigested. Grinding them unlocks the alpha-linolenic acid (plant-based omega-3) and soluble lignans. <\/p>\n \u201cThis is an easy addition for people who want to increase their fibre intake without changing their meals dramatically. A little ground linseed stirred into porridge or yoghurt is a simple place to start,\u201d Dr Lo Monaco said.<\/p>\n Typical cost: \u00a31.50 for a 200g bag (around 11p per 15g tablespoon serving)Carrots<\/p>\n Fresh root vegetables<\/a> are budget-friendly, easy to prepare, and supply plenty of useful dietary bulk for the gut. While no single vegetable works miracles on its own, filling your plate with colourful produce supports your arteries every single day.<\/p>\n \u201cCarrots are a good reminder that healthy eating does not have to be complicated,\u201d Dr Lo Monaco said. \u201cAdd them to soups, stews and sauces, or eat them as a snack instead of relying on processed options.\u201d<\/p>\n Typical cost: 65p for a 1kg bag (around 5p – 8p per carrot)<\/p>\n![\"Hands](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/JS422787984.jpg\")
BEAN BOOST: Adding pulses to your diet can help cut cholesterol (Image: Getty)Beans and lentils<\/p>\n
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