Eat Up! Here are 5 Heart-Healthy Foods to Lower Cholesterol

by Marie Nolan

Low cholesterol foods really should be a part of your daily diet. By not adding extra cholesterol to your body, you give your arteries a break.

Your own body produces cholesterol, which is a fatty material also known as a lipid. It is made in the liver but can be over-produced by the unhealthy fatty foods that we all-too-often eat. Cholesterol is actually vital for our bodies to perform properly. However, too much cholesterol is very bad for us and is a common cause of coronary attacks and can multiply the chance of strokes.

That being said, what are the best five low cholesterol foods which you should be eating to sustain healthy cholesterol levels?

First – Eat Your Veggies and Fruits

It’s hard to deny the heart-healthy, low fat low cholesterol effects of fruit and vegetables. Vegetables particularly (since they don’t have as much natural sugar as does fruit). It is just important not to add butter, sugar or other fats to them. While the dressings and sauces taste wonderful, by putting them on, you’ve just erased the benefits of the fruits and veggies.

Add Healthy Grains

Foods that are high in soluble fibre help to lower cholesterol and as a bonus, they are also low in fat. What are these foods? Think of items like barley, oats, pulses and even fruits, like apples.

It’s Not Nutty — It’s Healthy

Nuts and seeds should be part of your everday (or at least weekly) diet. But don’t add these otherwise great foods if they are roasted in oil and salt, or smothered in chocolate. However, plain nuts and seeds are wonderful. A good way of using these is to toss a handful into your soups, stews and salads. They furnish a crunchy texture and are a wonderful way to get used to consuming low cholesterol foods.

Go Fish!

Don’t be concerned by ‘fatty’ fish. The fat in these types of fish is good fat. Cold-water fish such as tuna, salmon and sardines are all fatty but they are great, as is most fish in general. Just be careful that any canned fish isn’t packed in oil, and doesn’t have added salt.

Meat is Good for You

Meat, opposite to popular opinion, in truth is not bad for you.. Low fat meat is fine. For example, did you know that lean pork without sans fat is as low in cholesterol as cottage cheese? Just skip the crispy bacon (sigh).

Want some red meat? Add some steamed vegetables or a big salad to that meal, as red meat does tend to have more fat than, say, pork. The healthy benefits of salads and vegetables help to negate some of the fat remaining in red meat.

Keep Low Cholesterol Food Low in Cholesterol!

Now that you recognize the types of foods you really should be consuming, think about how you prepare them. I’ve already mentioned a few “gotchas” such as tuna packed in oil or nuts covered with chocolate.

You only have one heart, and if you’re attempting to help it by consuming low cholesterol foods, make sure they stay that way! Get used to looking at labels, and ask what is in the sauce (or better yet, avoid it).

Keep your body and heart safe with healthy meals. It will thank you for it!

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