Low Cholesterol Diet

Are you looking for a low cholesterol diet?

If you are on or looking for a low cholesterol diet then it is highly probable that you have high blood cholesterol levels. Many consider a low cholesterol diet is an important contributing factor to a long and healthy life, as long as it promotes good cholesterol, HDL, which helps the body to rid itself of bad cholesterol, LDL. A low cholesterol diet is achieved by eating foods low in saturated fat. When you are on a low fat low cholesterol diet you will benefit if you learn more about the foods you eat, take time to read the manufacturer’s food labels and make astute substitutions for foods that are high in fat.

Low Cholesterol Diet – too much Cholesterol

If cholesterol levels are above what is accepted as ‘normal’ and remain at a high level then as blood flows through the coronary arteries deposits of cholesterol will be left in the arteries. In time these deposits will form what is known as ‘plaque’. The plaque attaches itself to the walls of the arteries and gradually increases with more deposits until it fills and blocks each artery. This means that the blood carrying vital nutrients and oxygen to various body organs is either restricted or stopped completely. This situation will almost certainly lead to a heart attack.

Low Cholesterol Diet – saturated fats

The purpose of a low cholesterol diet is to reduce the intake of saturated fats in your diet. Saturated fat is fat that contains saturated fatty acids. Some common examples of foods that contain saturated fatty acids are: butter, ghee, suet, tallow, lard, cottonseed oil, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, cow’s milk and dairy products specifically cream, cheese, fatty cuts of meat and some processed foods.

Substituting monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats for saturated fats in your diet can help lower your LDL-cholesterol levels without reducing your good cholesterol levels, HDL.

The American Heart Association recommends that we get only 7% of our daily calories from saturated fats, as they have been linked to higher levels of LDLs.

Low Cholesterol diet – tips for a low cholesterol diet

When preparing a meal do not fry your food in oil or grease.
The healthiest way to prepare your food is to broil [grill] or steam whenever possible. If you broil [grill] your steaks instead of frying them, you will lose some of the fat that is in the meat instead of it lying in its own fat and oil whilst cooking.

Some of the flavor and nutritional value in food will be lost in the water if you boil vegetables or in the juice if you choose canned vegetables. Steam cooking is a much better alternative. Some share the view that the nutritional value in frozen vegetables is not the same as fresh vegetables but your lifestyle may determine whether you buy fresh or frozen.

If you like chicken then skinless would be the best choice because the skin of chicken is very high in cholesterol

Low Cholesterol Diet – Conclusion

A low cholesterol diet is an effective compliment to regular exercise and prescribed medication.

Attempting to balance your diet to reduce your cholesterol levels is not dissimilar to dieting. It takes will power and self discipline.

Only your Doctor is qualified to tell you if a low cholesterol diet is right for you. A low cholesterol diet is one low in saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol.

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