Low Cholesterol Diet

What Is A Low Cholesterol Diet And Which Foods Should I Include In The Diet?

If you find out that you have high levels of bad LDL cholesterol, then your doctor will recommend that you be on a low cholesterol diet and possibly some cholesterol lowering medications. Being on a low cholesterol diet is most advantageous to your health because not only will it lower your bad cholesterol and keep you off medication, but it will also improve your outcome and even reverse damage. But what exactly is a low cholesterol diet? A low cholesterol diet is one that is filled with foods that have been proven to lower bad cholesterol levels. Some of the most common foods that are included in a low cholesterol diet are soluble fibers, such as oatmeal, apples and kidney beans, nuts such as walnuts and almonds, and omega-3 fatty acids from fish and seafood. In addition, a low cholesterol diet involves using plant sterols that are found in yogurts and margarine, as well as olive oils. Of course, there are plenty more foods out there that are part of a low cholesterol diet, but soluble fibers, nuts, omega-3 fatty acids, plant sterols and olive oils are the top five foods associated with a low cholesterol diet.

The TLC diet is one that was introduced in 2001 and is recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA). This low cholesterol diet sets the guidelines for people with high levels of bad cholesterol. The TLC low cholesterol diet focuses on eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low fat dairy products, good fats and oils, eggs, and lean meat and fish. The TLC diet breaks everything down so that you know how many servings of each food group you should be eating. Although the TLC low cholesterol diet is recommended by the AHA, in whole, a low cholesterol diet is anything that includes good fats and healthy foods.

Fortunately, it is not difficult to welcome a low cholesterol diet into your lifestyle. Steer clear of foods that contain trans fats and partially hydrogenated oils. Not only are these substances not good for your cholesterol levels, but they are not good for the body's immunity or growth.