Foods that should Not be part of your regular diet if your trying to lower your cholesterol levels
We all know that high cholesterol is not a good thing. But, many people aren’t sure specifically what they should be doing to manage their cholesterol or what their numbers really should look like.
Here’s a look at ten foods high in cholesterol that should not be a part of your regular diet if you’re watching your cholesterol levels.
A List of 10 High Cholesterol Foods
1. Butter
Butter is hydrogenated fat and high in cholesterol.
2. Sausage
Sausage is often made from the fattiest parts of the pig, so, while all meat contains cholesterol, sausage is especially high in cholesterol.
3. Egg Yolks
The yolk of an egg is very high in cholesterol. However, there is new evidence to suggest that our bodies do not absorb the cholesterol in eggs the way they do that of meat, so eggs may not be so bad for you after all. Watch health news for more information on eating eggs.
4. Caviar
Caviar, sometimes called fish roe, is a popular spread on bread in Europe. But these tiny fish eggs are full of cholesterol.
5. Liver Pate
All organ meats are much higher in cholesterol than meats from other parts of an animal’s body.
6. Oil Packed Fish
If you’re choosing canned fish, like tuna and sardines for their healthy Omega 3’s, be certain you’re not choosing those packed in oil. The oil that the fish is packed in is high in cholesterol, defeating any benefit you get from eating the fish.
7. Cheese
Some cheeses are higher in cholesterol than others. Choose low fat cheeses for a good calcium and protein boost. Stay away from Port de Salut, the cheese highest in cholesterol.
8. Processed Meats
Lunch meats and processed meats like bacon tend to be high in cholesterol because they are not made from the leanest cuts of meat.
9. Fast Food
This is a pretty general category, but we all need to watch how much fast food we eat if we’re watching our cholesterol. Fast food restaurants tend to use fattier cuts of meat for their burgers, and often fry in oils high in cholesterol, too.
10. Shellfish
Oysters, clams, mussels and shrimp are quite high in cholesterol.
Foods from animals are generally high in cholesterol
As you can see by the list, foods high in cholesterol come from animal products. Foods that are plant based, even if they are oily, do not contain cholesterol.
Remembering this simple rule will help you choose the best foods for your diet and easily avoid foods high in cholesterol.
For example, when choosing oils for frying, choose plant based oils, like olive oil, corn oil or canola oil. Those these oils have quite a bit of fat, they have no cholesterol.
Have your blood cholesterol levels checked at least once a year, and follow your doctor’s guidelines for what your cholesterol numbers should be. In general, you should aim for Below 200 mg/dL (as measured in the US) or below 5.2 mmol/L (as measured in Canada and most of Europe).
With a little attention to avoiding these foods that are high in cholesterol, and eating more of the foods that can lower your cholesterol, most people can get their cholesterol readings within normal guidelines in just a few months.
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