UCI Health cardiologist shares her top heart-healthy breakfast foods
Foods high in protein and fiber are filling and support cardiovascular health
IN THE NEWS: UCI Health cardiologist Dr. Ailin Barseghian a board-certified UCI Health cardiologist in Orange County, spoke with SELF about the best breakfast foods for good heart health.
When it comes to breakfast, Barseghian enjoys nutritious chia seed pudding, which she prepares in advance. That way, she can slow down and savor her meal before the workday begins.
Barseghian prefers chia seeds because they’re a superfood, rich in protein, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. High fiber consumption is associated with reductions in LDL or “bad” cholesterol and blood pressure.
Chia seed pudding could provide one-third to one-half of a person’s daily fiber requirements. Barseghian also gets creative with toppings to add even more of the essential nutrient.
“I like to add blueberries, almonds and cacao — all of which add additional fiber.”
Barseghian is a board-certified cardiologist at UCI Health Cardiology Services who specializes in interventional and integrative approaches to heart disease. An associate clinical professor at the UC Irvine School of Medicine, her clinical and research interests include women's heart health, preventive cardiology and cardiovascular imaging and pharmacology.
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About UCI Health
UCI Health is one of California’s largest academic health systems and the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Established on July 1, 1976, UCI Health has grown into a 1,461-bed health system that includes UCI Health — Orange, UCI Health — Irvine, four Community Network hospitals and a growing network of ambulatory care centers across Orange and Los Angeles counties. As Orange County’s only academic health systems, UCI Health is home to the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center based in the county, the region’s only American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, American College of Emergency Physicians Gold Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department and a nationally recognized regional burn center verified by the American Burn Association. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people across Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County through excellence in patient care, research and medical education. Follow UCI Health on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.