Hi, I’m Michelle, and I am so glad you are here! I am a registered dietitian nutritionist, certified diabetes educator, and preventive cardiology dietitian who specializes in heart-healthy nutrition. I graduated with a master of science in clinical nutrition from New York University (NYU) and completed my dietetic residency at NYU. I have over 10 years’ experience counseling individuals on chronic disease prevention and management. I currently see clients in my private practice, Entirely Nourished, in New York City and virtually.
In my practice, I have seen people struggle with the what, where, and how to eat heart-healthy. I understand that a cardiac diet can be overwhelming and confusing. Many of my clients come to me not knowing where to begin. They have heard of many foods to avoid, but they feel unsure of what foods to actually eat. The idea of reducing salt, fat, and meat from one’s diet seems intimidating, tasteless, and hard to do.
I have successfully helped thousands of people lower their blood pressure and cholesterol levels and have even had many reduce or completely get off their blood pressure and statin medications through heart-healthy diet changes.
I am here to help you eat heart-healthy in a simple, easily approachable manner that still allows you to enjoy food while protecting your heart. I break down the science of what constitutes a heart-healthy diet and incorporate it into the recipes so you don’t have to. A heart-healthy diet should be easy, quick, and flavorful so you can enjoy the food you eat and adapt it into your life forever.
The recipes found in this book adhere to a mixture of researched-backed heart-healthy diets such as the DASH, the Mediterranean, and a vegetarian diet. These diets emphasize macronutrient balance and consumption of vital micronutrients to protect your heart and help with optimal blood flow and blood vessel function.
All the recipes found in this book are easy in a variety of ways: 30 minutes or less, one-pot, and 5-ingredient meals. You can choose the version of easy that best suits you. All of the recipes rely on fresh, healthy, affordable, and easy-to-find ingredients.