High levels of LDL Cholesterol, or ‘bad’ cholesterol, may lead to heart disease and stroke; therefore, it is important to maintain your cholesterol levels. One way to maintain low levels of LDL cholesterol and high levels of HDL, or good cholesterol levels, is by following a low cholesterol diet. (Taking a cholesterol lowering treatment like Lipitor will also help.)
It’s important to remember that a low cholesterol diet, is also a low fat diet, and is not hard to follow. In fact, a low cholesterol diet gives you a variety of foods to choose from.
A low cholesterol diet includes the following guidelines:
• Fruits and vegetables – Fruits and vegetables are very important to include in a low cholesterol diet because it is rich in minerals and vitamins and low in calories and fat. An additional benefit is that these foods will not raise your cholesterol levels.
• Fats and oils – You should try to lower your consumption of certain fats such as saturated fats. These fats could raise your cholesterol levels and contribute to a higher risk for heart disease. You should also avoid foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as margarine and shortening, because they contain a form of saturated fats known as trans fats. Trans fats raise blood cholesterol levels (LDL cholesterol), just like saturated fats, and can also help with the formation of waxy, cholesterol plaques on your arteries. Alternatively, you should use olive oils and canola oils, which are particularly high in vegetable oil and can help lower your cholesterol and keep your heart healthy.
• Bread and grains – White flour or a high diet in carbohydrates can raise cholesterol levels and increase your risk for heart disease, especially for diabetics. Therefore, choose whole grains food instead.
• Dairy and meats – Chose low fat or skim dairy products instead of regular, full-fat ones, to reduce risk of heart disease. Likewise, when cooking with meat, you should also choose lean meats, such as chicken, fish or turkey.