Low-Cholesterol Diet

A low cholesterol diet is an eating plan to help prevent the buildup of excessive cholesterol in the coronary arteries, as some believe this may restrict blood flow and lead to a heart attack or stroke. According to this diet, consuming low cholesterol foods that are rich in healthy fats, such as vegetable oils and fish, and low in sodium, such as saturated fats and trans-fats, will improve overall heart health.

To help lower blood cholesterol, it is recommended that lean meat, skinless poultry, fish, and shellfish are eaten only occasionally – 5 oz a day or less.

Foods to include:

  • Fruits

  • Vegetables

  • Whole grains

  • Dry cereals

  • Lean meat

  • Skinless poultry

  • Fish

  • Egg whites

  • Fat-free or 1% milk

  • Fat-free, reduced fat, or low-fat cheeses

  • Canola, corn, olive, peanut, safflower, sesame, and sunflower oils

  • Margarine

  • Fat-free or light salad dressings

  • Mayonnaise

Foods to avoid:

  • White bread

  • High-fat granola

  • Muesli

  • Cereals made with coconut oils and nuts

  • Baked desserts

  • Egg yolks

  • Butter

  • Lard

  • Solid shortenings

Pros:

  • May reduce cholesterol levels

  • May become lifestyle approach for some

Cons:

  • Will be hard for some to avoid egg yolks and meat

  • May be a misconception that certain types of cholesterol found in food increase cholesterol blood levels

Sources:

Low Cholesterol Diet www.gicare.com
9 Food Tips to Lower Cholesterol www.webmd.com