Food to Avoid to Lower Cholesterol

Changing your diet can help you lower your cholesterol. Most of these changes involve avoiding high-fat foods that contribute toward elevating cholesterol levels. By avoiding certain foods, you can lower your cholesterol and, hopefully, avoid having to go on medication to prevent a heart attack.

Butter/Margarine

• Butter and margarine are both very high in fat and can cause cholesterol to skyrocket. Replace butter and margarine with products like Molly McButter, which offers a buttery taste without the fat.

High-Fat Desserts

• Many delicious desserts are very high in fat, frequently due to a high butter or oil content. Avoid eating high-fat desserts and replace them with low-fat alternatives such as fresh fruit.

High-Fat Snacks

• Most chips and other snacks are very high in fat. Replace high-fat snacks with low-fat alternatives such as pretzels.

Red Meats

• Most red meats are very high in fat, which causes an elevation in cholesterol levels. To lower your cholesterol, try replacing red meats with ground turkey or vegetarian meat substitutes.

Whole Cheeses

• Regular, or "whole" cheeses, are high in fat. Avoid eating regular cheese and opt for cheeses made with 2 percent milk.

Whole Milk

• Whole milk is very high in fat. Replace whole milk with skim milk or 2 percent milk. Even better, try switching to soy or rice milk.