Low Cholesterol Diet Menus - Tips on Foods to Eat and Avoid

Are you seeking low cholesterol diet menus?

If you are looking for a way to naturally lower your LDL cholesterol levels, then your own diet might be the best place to begin.

Too much fat in a diet isn't good for you, although you do need a certain amount of fat in order to have energy. If you have too much fat in your diet, then your cholesterol level can be raised, and that can eventually lead to a heart attack or a stroke.

It is also important and necessary to distinguish between healthy fats and unhealthy fats. In general, trans fats and most saturated fats are unhealthy.

When looking at low cholesterol diet menus, you want to be able to decrease your overall calories, decrease your dietary cholesterol, decrease your saturated fat intake, and increase your intake of complex carbohydrates and fiber.

About Fats - Healthy and Unhealthy Fats

So what is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats? Unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature, while saturated fats solidify. Think about the grease that you cook with and how it hardens after it has been sitting out for a little bit. It is imperative that you limit your intake of saturated fats if you want to lower your cholesterol level.

For the most part, you can find saturated fats in meat products and in dairy products that were made with whole milk. Sometimes, however, there are some vegetable fats, like coconut oil, palm oil, and cocoa butter, that can act like saturated fats, so these should be avoided in low cholesterol diet menus if possible. (Note: Coconut Oil is said to be a very healthy oil.)

Unsaturated fats are predominately found in plants. Some of the monounsaturated fats, in fact, might even be able to help lower your cholesterol level. These can be located in canola, peanut, and olive oils.

Foods to Eat

So what foods can you include in your low cholesterol diet menus? Foods like oatmeal, lentils, and beans that are high in fiber should definitely be included. You should try to eat these foods a couple of times a week. Fruits and vegetables can not only lower your cholesterol rate, but can also lower your risk of cancer, too.

A low cholesterol diet can simply be one that contains foods that are high in nutrients and fiber and low in saturated fats. High fiber foods also include spinach, nuts, whole grains, and broccoli.

Other foods that you might want to consider adding to your low cholesterol diet menu are strawberries, brown rice, barley, apples, and carrots. All of these contain soluble fiber, which can help lower cholesterol levels. When used daily, taking psyllium mucilloid supplements can also have the same effects.

About Fast Food

Fast food restaurants usually stock foods that are high in saturated fats. The good news is that many are offering healthier options. Search for items that are "heart healthy" and don't be afraid to ask to see the nutritional information. Salads (avoid thick dressings), boiled fish, and some types of wraps can all be good choices. When it comes to sandwiches, try to go with whole grain bread.

Meats and Fish

When it comes to meats for your low cholesterol diet menu, select carefully. Prime cuts have the most fat. Also, remember that the more marbling a meat has - that's the white coat of fat that runs through it - the more fat it contains.

Lastly, fish can be one of the healthiest foods that you can consume. Deep sea fish such as tuna, lake trout, salmon, and herring all have omega-3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA, which are very good for you. They can lower your cholesterol level, and some people even swear that they have anti aging benefits.

Conclusion - Low Cholesterol Diet Menus

Do you now have a better idea of how to plan low cholesterol diet menus? For more information on foods to eat and foods to avoid, as well as on how to naturally lower cholesterol levels, read the other related cholesterol articles and pages.

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