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What Not to Eat on a Cholesterol Diet

If your physician has suggested that you begin a low-cholesterol diet, it is important to understand the different types of cholesterol and how they affect your body. For instance, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is "good" cholesterol, and the higher your number is, the better. HDL protects your heart, lowers your risk of cardiac-related diseases and actually helps your body dispose of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), which is "bad" cholesterol. By avoiding foods that are high in saturated fats, you can build up your good cholesterol levels, reduce the bad and be well on your way to better health.

  1. What is Cholesterol?

    • Every cell in your body contains cholesterol, and that is a good thing. In fact, the American Heart Association explains that cholesterol plays a key role in hormone production and the creation of cell membranes that are necessary to the health of your body. Cholesterol is a fatty substance, with a waxy texture that is fine in small numbers, but because cholesterol is sticky, too much of it can begin to build up in your blood stream and clog your arteries.

    Don't Eat Fatty Foods

    • The number one rule of thumb to remember when you are on a cholesterol-lowering diet is to avoid as much fat as possible. While keeping some fat in your diet is fine, check your food labels and try to avoid those items that contain a lot of saturated fat. Not only do foods that contain saturated fats increase the amounts of bad cholesterol in your blood, they also contain the most calories. So, by skipping the burger and cheese fries for lunch, you will help lower your cholesterol as well as reduce your calorie consumption.

    Skip the Cheese Omelet

    • Eggs and cheese contain quite a bit of fat. In fact, having a cheese omelet every morning should be avoided when you are on a low-cholesterol diet. While eggs and cheese are both a great source of protein and vitamins A and D, they should be eaten only in moderation. So, instead of eggs every morning, you may consider switching to cereal and fruit some mornings, which contain little or no saturated fats.

    Butter and Margarine

    • Butter or margarine? The controversy continues. The jury is still out on which one is better for you when you are on a low-cholesterol diet, but the Mayo Clinic suggests that margarine may be the lesser of the two evils. So, if you must include a spread in your menu, choose margarine that contains no "trans fats" and avoid the butter.

    Salt

    • You may not realize it, but many of the foods that we eat contain high levels of salt. Some of us have become so accustomed to the taste of salt that we don't even notice it. Eliminating salt from your diet may not be easy in the beginning, but it is important to your low-cholesterol diet. Salt actually works against you when you are on a low-cholesterol diet. Salt raises your blood pressure, which can have detrimental effects on the health of your heart. To help in this quest for better health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests using herbs and spices to bring out the true flavors of the foods that you eat.

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