Foods a Cardiologist and Celebrity Chef Want You to Add to Your Plate

Food and health together

Razzouk, a cardiologist at NYU Langone Health, says diet can influence inflammation, insulin sensitivity, weight and blood pressure. Food may also help people manage diabetes or high cholesterol, even when medication remains necessary.

He cautions that eating well is not a substitute for medical treatment. A healthier, more balanced diet may help prevent disease and could reduce how many medications a person needs, he says.

Razzouk identifies frequent reliance on delivery food as one possible warning sign. He says many meals ordered in New York City contain substantial saturated fat, added salt and processed food; meal timing is another concern he discusses.

Plant-forward, not restrictive

A plant-forward diet does not have to exclude animal protein. Razzouk points to the Mediterranean and DASH diets as examples that include some meat, while advising patients to choose plant protein when they have that option.

He also warns against expecting fad diets to work. His guidance is to find a balance that supports health while allowing people to enjoy their lives and food.

Ingredients from Samuelsson’s kitchen

Samuelsson describes beso, an Ethiopian drink made with roasted barley and water or milk. He calls it a protein shake and says the more detailed recipe appears in his cookbook, Back to Green.

He also grew up eating shiro, a stew made with chickpea flour, and other Ethiopian foods he now brings into his cooking. Samuelsson suggests trying chickpeas, sea moss and soursop; Razzouk recommends nuts, especially walnuts, and extra-virgin olive oil.

Samuelsson says he brings home unfamiliar ingredients, such as spirulina, and asks his son to research their health benefits before they cook with them. He also sees cooking as a way for families to spend time together.

Fiber and enjoyable meals

Razzouk says high-fiber diets may lower the risk of colon cancer and reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, factors linked to cardiovascular disease. Fiber can also help people feel full.

Samuelsson shares a lentil salad with coconut turmeric vinaigrette and discusses ways to build on its flavors using ingredients that may already be in the fridge or pantry. His approach pairs health-conscious choices with food people want to eat.