If you think the answer is ditching eggs, youre in for a surprise!
Why doessaturated fatspell bad news for cholesterol?
For healthy cholesterol levels, swap red meat for leaner proteins like chicken, turkey, fish and legumes.
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Research suggests this may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
And dont worry, its not that you canneverhave a burger and fries again.
What Is High Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that travels via your bloodstream throughout your body.
Despite its negative image, cholesterol isnt all bad.
How do they differ?
LDL carries cholesterol that can build up in your arteries, potentially leading to artery-blocking plaques.
HDL, on the other hand, ferries cholesterol out of your blood vessels and back to your liver.
The first line of action is knowing what your levels are.
That begins with blood work at your annual physical.
In addition to cholesterol, your health care provider will likely also measure yourtriglycerides.
These are fats in the bloodstream that can also increase your risk of heart disease.
High cholesterol is defined as total cholesterol greater than 200 mg/dL.
These other nutrition and lifestyle changes can also help keep your number in check.
Plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes are all excellent high-fiber choices.
Instead, check out these dietitian-approvedNo-Sugar-Added Snacks from Trader Joes.
For a nonalcoholic alternative, swap out those evening drinks with one of thesefestive mocktails.
The Bottom Line
Lowering your cholesterol doesnt have to be complicated.
Reducing your saturated fat intake is a great place to start.
But dont stop there.
Over time, these small changes can make a big difference in your cholesterol and heart health!
Venugopal SK, Anoruo MD, Jialal I.Biochemistry, Low Density Lipoprotein.In: StatPearls.
StatPearls Publishing; 2024
National Institutes of Health.
National Library of Medicine.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About Cholesterol.
2021; 26(11):3369. doi:10.3390/molecules26113369
American Heart Association.Added Sugars.
2020;12(4):912. doi:10.3390/nu12040912
