Pancakes are not the healthiest of foods, but you can make the most of them by making a few small changes that will make your pancake feast a heart healthy one.

Make your pancakes the healthy way and then use your imagination to fill them with delicious combinations of healthy foods.

Get Flipping...

Keep your pancake batter heart healthy by using wholemeal flour or use half brown-half white and use skimmed milk. Get that elbow grease going as you make the mixture frothy and light. Use a very small amount of rapeseed oil to grease the frying pan and get flipping.

Savoury Treats...

Try savoury fillings for a first course: low fat cream cheese and spinach, ham and a slice of pineapple, scrambled egg and grilled tomatoes or spicy chicken and avocado. Maybe kippers or sardines make a tasty unusual filling - just be adventurous. Serve with lots of seasonal vegetables for a winter warming, fun to make meal.

Sweet Treats...

Polish off the remaining batter with some sweet pancakes. Wrap up stewed fruit, such as apples or pears and drizzle with fruit puree, a blob of low fat crème fraiche and a sprinkling of grated dark chocolate. Try slices of mango, banana or pineapple for an exotic theme or simply stick with good old lemon/orange/grapefruit juice. Blood orange juice is fantastic.

Make it a family affair, children love making pancakes and it's a great way of getting them to eat more fruit and vegetables. Even the fussiest eaters may be tempted to try new things if they are wrapped up in delicious pancakes.

So get flipping and keep your pancakes heart healthy this pancake day.

For more information and advice about healthy living, contact Heart Research UK on 0113 297 6206 or email lifestyle@heartresearch.org.uk.