High cholesterol levels increase your risk of developing heart disease and stroke. The good news is that you can control your cholesterol levels by making healthy choices, including a balanced diet.
Avoiding specific foods can help you maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Here are the foods to exclude from your diet:.
Saturated and Trans Fats
Saturated fats are unhealthy fats that increase LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and lower HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Trans fats are even worse since they increase LDL cholesterol levels and lower HDL cholesterol levels more than saturated fats.
The American Heart Association recommends limiting daily saturated fat intake to less than 7% of total calories and avoiding trans fats altogether.
Foods high in saturated and trans fats include:.
- Butter
- Margarine
- Shortening
- Lard
- Fatty cuts of meat (beef, pork, lamb)
- Processed meats (sausage, hot dogs, bacon)
- Full-fat dairy products (milk, cheese, cream, ice cream)
- Palm oil and coconut oil
- Baked goods (cakes, cookies, pastries)
- Fried foods (chicken, fish, French fries)
High Cholesterol Foods
While dietary cholesterol doesn’t impact cholesterol levels as much as saturated and trans fats do, it’s still important to limit cholesterol intake to no more than 300 milligrams per day for healthy adults or 200 milligrams per day for individuals with high cholesterol. Foods high in cholesterol include:.
- Egg yolks
- Organ meats (liver, kidney, sweetbreads)
- Shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster)
Processed Foods
Processed foods are often high in sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats, making them harmful to your cholesterol levels.
Eating a diet rich in whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help you maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
Foods to avoid include:.
- Candy
- Soda
- Fast food
- Chips
- Snack cakes
- Instant noodles
- White bread
- Processed cheese
- Processed meats
Other Foods to Avoid
Other foods that can increase your cholesterol levels include:.
- Alcohol
- Refined sugars
- Full-fat salad dressings
- Sauces (gravy, cream sauce)
While it’s important to avoid certain foods, it’s equally important to focus on foods that can help you maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help you lower your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of developing heart disease and stroke.