Low Cholesterol Diet
In a previous article, we talked about what can happen if you have high blood pressure. We went over in depth what cholesterol is, how it can damage your body if it is not kept in check and the benefits of having a healthy cholesterol levels. Today we are going to talk about how to maintain a healthy low cholesterol diet. Basically, keeping a low cholesterol diet means eating healthy. Most of us inherently know what is healthy and what is not. For instance, most of us know that shoving a greasy double cheeseburger from McDonalds down our gullets is going to have some kind of health ramification if done on a regular basis.
However, there are specific foods that will help you lower your cholesterol, and some that will just insure that you maintain a healthy cholesterol level. These foods are the basis of having a low cholesterol diet. Fish is the corner stone food that any low cholesterol diet is built upon. Fish not only contains little fat, it also contains oil called omega-3, which helps to protect your heart and blood vessels. If you want a low cholesterol diet, adding fish is the first real step to doing so. Your body also requires protein to function properly. The best source of protein is meat. The problem is that most North Americans automatically reach for the high fat meats at their grocery stores. This is understandable because it has been proven that fatty meets (or any food high in fat) taste better to most people. You must stop this cycle. High fat meats are sure to make your cholesterol levels skyrocket. Instead, reach for the meat labelled “lean meat” and you will soon be on your way to having a low cholesterol diet. Most people think that dairy products are a safe bet. The truth is that high fat dairy products are bad for your cholesterol levels. If you want a low cholesterol diet, stick to the low fat dairy products such as non-fat milk, yogurt and cottage cheese. Some examples of high fat dairy products are processed cheese, butter and whipped cream. Fruits and vegetables are also important in maintaining a low cholesterol diet. The problem is that most people either fry their vegetables in lots of fatty margarine or butter, or they cover it with butter after they have been cooked. Instead try steaming your vegetables and staying away from the butter and margarine as much as possible. Of course, people need some kind of oil to put on their veggies and other fried goods. If you must use an oil, then canola or olive oil are the best choices. These oils are less fatty than the other brands. Breads are not the best thing to eat if you want to lose weight or maintain a low cholesterol diet, but you must have some carbohydrates and grain. Try eating whole wheat bread multi-grain bread instead of the white bread. It might not taste as good at first, but you will soon get used to it. If you want to have a low cholesterol diet, stick to the foods listed above and you are sure to have a healthy smile plastered to your face.
Jim Shaw 
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