How to Eat for High Cholesterol

Eating for high cholesterol might mean a big change but it is a good change and it doesn't mean you can't enjoy food. Healthy doesn't mean bland and healthy eating certainly isn't boring. Improve your cholesterol levels with these dietary changes and you will also be changing your health and your life.

Instructions

• 1

  Eat just enough of the right kinds of fats. Your total fat should be 25 to 35 percent of your daily caloric intake. Most of this amount should come from unsaturated fat. Your intake of saturated fats should be no more than seven percent of your daily caloric intake. Keep trans fat to one percent or less of your daily caloric intake. Don't use solid fats when cooking. Use canola, sunflower or olive oil for cooking.

• 2

  Avoid organ meats such as liver and kidney. Avoid meats that have high amounts of fat such as hamburgers, bacon, hot dogs and sausage. Trim any visible fat from meat before preparing. Try to limit fried foods.

• 3

  Add plant sterols and stanols to your diet. You can find these compounds in some fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds. Other sources for stanols and sterols are vegetable oils, some salad dressings and margarines. Read labels and look for these heart healthy ingredients.

• 4

  Limit your sodium intake to below 2400mg. per day. Be wary of processed foods because they often have high sodium content.

• 5

  Check product labeling for cholesterol amounts. Your total cholesterol intake shouldn't exceed 200mg. per day.

• 6

  Eat at least one meatless meal every week, as recommended by the Southern Illinois School of Medicine.

• 7

  Avoid store-bought bakery food items. These foods generally contain saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.

• 8

  Increase your daily fiber intake. You should eat 25 to 35g. of fiber daily, as fiber can decrease levels of bad cholesterol.