The holidays can be hard on your heart. Pressure to find the perfect gifts and tidy your home for guests can be stressful, not to mention the tasty—but less than healthy—spread many of us enjoy this time of year.

Your diet is a major factor that can make or break the health of your heart. From appetizers to desserts, most holiday tablescapes are loaded with foods the American Heart Association recommends avoiding, like processed meats, refined carbohydrates and treats rich in both sodium and added sugars.

"Certainly, people with heart conditions are a little bit more prone to problems, but it really applies to everyone," says Jerome Horwitz, DO, a cardiologist with Lourdes Health System in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. "We'd like to have everyone on an eating schedule for heart health," he adds.

You don’t have to avoid your favorite dishes. Indulge sparingly while adding these delicious heart-healthy foods to your holiday menu.