good cholesterol foods

Finding a List of Low Cholesterol Foods

Author: Andrew Bicknell

A high blood cholesterol level is something that needs to be taken very seriously because it is one of the main risk factors for increased chances of arteriosclerosis, heart disease, and stroke. One of the best ways to deal with this medical condition is through diet and for most people that means finding a list of low cholesterol foods.

Fortunately it is relatively easy to separate food types into those that contain cholesterol and those that don't. Any food that comes from an animal source contains cholesterol because it is a primarily used to create and maintain cell wall membranes along with hormone production.

Food from plant sources or derived from plant sources are for the most part cholesterol free and eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts can help significantly lower blood cholesterol levels. There is a big but that goes along with this because food preparation can significantly change whether or not that healthy food suddenly becomes a ticking cholesterol time bomb.

Recent studies into the effects of diet on cholesterol have found that it isn't always the amount of cholesterol in a particular food that is dangerous. In fact many cholesterol containing foods don't significantly raise blood cholesterol levels when eaten as is. What these studies have found is that saturated fat and Transfats are much more dangerous to cholesterol levels. When combined with high cholesterol foods in the preparation of meals these two fats can lead to dangerously high blood cholesterol levels.

This does not mean that eating high cholesterol foods is a good idea but by being aware of how to prepare your meals you can see significant reductions in your cholesterol levels. Here are some tips on how to best manage cholesterol levels through diet.

1. Avoid and eliminate foods high in saturated and Trans fats as well as avoid preparing meals with these types of fats. This is why fried foods are dangerous to anyone with high cholesterol levels.

2. Eat only lean cuts of meat in moderation. Grill or broil them to allow the fat to run off before eating.

3. The best source of protein in a low cholesterol diet can be gotten from chicken and seafood.

4. Eat fiber rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grain breads and cereals. Fiber has been shown to help remove cholesterol from the body and is an important part of the digestive process.

5. Dairy products can be eaten if you choose low fat or skim products that have had the saturated fats removed or significantly reduced.

6. Increase your intake of foods containing omega-3 fatty acids. Much seafood such as salmon is rich in this vital nutrient or you can take it in supplement form.

As you can see managing this problem is much more then just finding a list of low cholesterol foods. While eating only these types of foods can decrease your risks you can do much more by understanding how certain foods and their preparation can affect cholesterol levels. The key to this is avoiding and eliminating saturated fats and Trans fats from your diet and eating those foods containing cholesterol in moderation.

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