Everything a heart health dietitian eats in a week, including plant-based protein sources and 'joy foods'

Lena Beal, a cardiovascular dietitian, has 'joy meals' like French toast once a week.

Lena Beal

• Lena Beal, a cardiovascular dietitian, follows a primarily plant-based diet for most of the week.
• On Sundays, she lets herself have "joy foods" like sweets and alcohol.
• She said this balance helps her get enough nutrients without feeling too restricted.

As a registered dietitian, Lena Beal first learned about nutrition from her own family.

"My great-grandparents were farmers...