Whether your doctor has told you need to lower your cholesterol levels or, you simply want to stay as heart-healthy as possible … a low cholesterol diet is the best way to go. To eat this way simply means you’re limiting the amount of saturated and trans fats in your eating regimen. So it really isn’t the end of the world.
Foods That Tend To Help Lower Cholesterol
Foods that are good for keeping your cholesterol at a healthy level include beans, whole grains (if you eat white bread switch to wheat), fruit and vegetables. Look for margarine that contains sterol and stanols (these are plant additives) rather than trans fat. Learn to use olive oil instead of butter.
Eating fiber is a great way to control your appetite, which can lead to weight loss. Having a healthy weight is a way to fight back against bad cholesterol levels. Plus, soluble fiber works to lower cholesterol. Make sure that you add foods like bananas, onions and asparagus to your diet because they also help to win the war against bad cholesterol.
Make sure that you add fish to your weekly menu planning. Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to lower cholesterol. Buy fish such as salmon, tuna, or trout to aid you in getting your cholesterol lowered.
High Cholesterol Foods To Avoid
Some foods that are high in saturated fat include egg yolks, butter, meat with skin on (example fried chicken with skin), lunch meats, bacon, cheese, whole milk and sweets (also referred to as junk food).
Foods that are very high in trans fat are most often, foods that are either quick-to-prepare (like frozen meals) or convenient to grab-and-eat (like fast food meals). And watch out for fried foods, too.
Replace processed, sugary breakfast meals that are high in saturated and trans fat with foods like oatmeal. Not only is oatmeal good for the heart and good for lowering cholesterol, but it also contains plenty of soluble fiber.
Look for meats with less “marbling.” If you tend to eat red meats, you want to observe the appearance of the meat before you buy. The more white (often called ‘marbling’) that you see present in a cut of meat, the more fat it contains.
Going on a low cholesterol diet doesn’t mean that you have to give up eating the foods you love. You have to find a cooking style to make the same dish in a healthier way. You also have to find a way to add the foods that are good for you to your diet that help you fight high cholesterol and to live as healthy as you can.