Seven Foods to Avoid High Cholesterol
Do you have high cholesterol? Do you want to avoid having to take a prescription to help control your cholesterol? Did you know there are certain foods to avoid high cholesterol? Taking control of your health and cholesterol level can be easier than you think.
Most people love the fat contained in food. Some will tell you that is what makes it taste so good. While this may be true, some of those fats can raise your cholesterol. Polyunsaturated and unsaturated fats are not harmful fats. These types of fats will make the liver produce more HDL cholesterol and less LDL cholesterol.
Saturated fat raises the bad cholesterol level which is your LDL. These fats are the main cause of high cholesterol in foods. This cholesterol builds up and blocks the blood flow in your arteries. The best way to avoid high cholesterol is to avoid foods that cause high cholesterol.
Many foods contain saturated fat and oils. You want to become aware of what you should eat more of and what you should avoid. Try to avoid butter, lard, palm oil, coconut oil and bacon grease or drippings as these are high in saturated fats. Instead of these foods try soft tub margarine and vegetable oils.
Certain foods you do not have to avoid completely, just limit your servings. Lessen your intake amount of Trans fatty acids like those found in cookies, chips, shortenings, hard butter and snack crackers. This may sound like many of your favorite snack items but you only have to limit yourself.
Certain meats are very fatty and you want to also limit your servings on those as well. Sausage, bacon, ground meat, pastrami, corned beef, ribs, steak and processed meats are ones you want to watch. Instead of these meats you could consider trying turkey or skinless chicken, lamb, fish, lean beef, veal and pork. You could even try going without meat in your meal.
Try to only eat two to three ounces of meat, fish and poultry twice a day. Some foods that contain over one percent of milk you want to try and avoid as well. Whipped cream, many different cheeses and nondairy creamers are some that you should try to avoid if not only limit.
More foods you want to eat less are cakes, croissants, muffins, breads and crackers that are made with extra fat. No matter if it is saturated or hydrogenated fat. Also avoid whole milk and eggs.
Olive oil is a great substitute for butter or margarine. If you try to watch the things that contain higher fats you will become better at substituting different things. You might already know this one; avoid any fast food! If you do eat fast food, get something baked or broiled, nothing fried. Avoiding the cheeses and dressings that contain high fat will help as well.
This may sound like you have to do a lot just to keep from getting high cholesterol but it really isn’t that much. Think of how much healthier you will stay and better you will feel. If you must take a prescription drug do so with caution. Some people would rather go through this instead of experiencing any of the side effects caused by certain medications.
Controlling cholesterol can be as simple as your everyday routine. When you get in the habit of watching what you eat and exercising regularly, it becomes your second nature. Your body is worth it and you deserve the best health. Eating foods that help you avoid high cholesterol is very beneficial to you and your health.
