Diet to Lower Cholesterol in Kids

Children with high cholesterol are at risk for heart disease and heart failure. As adults, individuals who had high cholesterol, as children are more likely to suffer heart attacks. A decent diet and healthy recreational exercise can reduce these risks and ensure a healthy life for your children. Monitoring what your children consume the most will help you spot unhealthy culprits.

Switch Snacks

• Children have a tendency to eat an excess of unhealthy snacks. The snacks they choose are usually high in sodium, sugar and fat. Suggest fiber-rich alternatives. Sugary fruit snacks can be replaced with fresh or dried fruit or an all-natural fruit popsicle. Buttery snacks like popcorn can be made with healthier oils, like canola.

Choose Non-Fat Dairy Products.

• Yogurts, milk and cheeses all have non-fat alternatives in the dairy aisle. Fat-rich yogurts also contain plenty of sugar to wreak havoc on your youngster's teeth. The low-fat options for yogurt generally carry less sugar as well. Low-fat cheese is usually undetectable to tiny taste buds, and can be eaten in greater quantity if desired. Try incorporating fruit and low-fat yogurts into your child's snack routine to see if she notices a difference.

Introduce Lean Meats and Avoid Trans Fats

• Fish and poultry without the skin are great alternatives to beef, which can raise a child's cholesterol significantly if eaten regularly. A side of vegetables would go nicely with a grilled chicken breast or turkey slices. While these leaner meats are lower in calories and healthier, you should avoid breading, frying and sautéing them. French fries, cookies, potato chips and other frequently consumed snacks should be avoided, as they are typically higher in trans fats.