Diet Ideas To Lower Cholesterol

Maintaining a healthy diet is one of the easiest ways to lower cholesterol. Making changes to your diet can help you keep your cholesterol levels in check. Keep reading for a few diet ideas to lower cholesterol by making a few changes to your diet choices.

Stock healthier oils

Eliminate butter and margarine from your refrigerator and shopping list. These oils are the "bad" fats that lead to high cholesterol. Replace these items with heart-friendly alternatives like canola and olive oils. When cooking, try to avoid using oils at all, and when you do, try cutting the amount in half or using a substitute. For example, eggs prepared in non-stick pans require no oil, and apple sauce is a great fill-in for vegetable oil in cakes.

Have oatmeal for breakfast

Oatmeal is often touted as a cholesterol-lowering super-food because of its high level of soluble fiber, which lowers your LDL or "bad" cholesterol. Oatmeal is very easy to prepare, and individual-size pouches that only require water and a quick trip to the microwave ensure that you can have a healthy breakfast that is ready in minutes.

Enjoy nuts and fish

The fatty acids found in fish and nuts help keep blood vessels healthy, which in turn improves cholesterol levels.Try incorporating a fish dish, such as salmon and vegetables or tuna and rice, into your meal plan twice a week. For a filling snack between meals, munch on nuts like walnuts and almonds.

By watching your cholesterol levels, you can help keep your heart and body healthy. Having high cholesterol puts you at a greater risk of heart attack and stroke. Keeping tabs on what you eat and exercising regularly are easy ways to ensure your cholesterol stays in check.

Oatmeal is often touted as a cholesterol-lowering super-food

by Samantha Stewart, Medical writer