But while filling your plate with the best foods for heart health helps to strengthen the organ and reduce your risk of developing heart disease, eating too many of the worst foods for heart health may have the opposite effect. High sugar + high fat = a heart-harmer. And unfortunately, diet sodas aren’t much better than the regular versions when it comes to heart health. Red meatAim to integrate more plant-based proteins, such as beans and nuts, for the biggest heart health boost. But high sodium isn’t the only way that bread made with white or refined flour does its damage.