
4 High Cholesterol Foods to Avoid
The food you eat has an impact on your cholesterol levels. If you want to keep your cholesterol levels in check, then eating a variety of foods from every food group is essential. Also, avoiding, limiting, or restricting the consumption of certain foods can be beneficial. Listed below are some of the foods to avoid for lowering cholesterol:
1. Red meat
When planning your meals, avoid meats, such as beef, lamb, and pork. They are high in bad cholesterol, and can, therefore, make your condition worse; they also increase your risk of developing heart disease. Choose healthier alternatives, such as fish, beans, and lean meat.
2. Egg yolk
Egg is a popular choice for breakfast, as it is nutrient-dense. However, if you have high cholesterol or heart disease, then you should avoid or limit the consumption of egg yolk to four or less per week. If you enjoy eating eggs for breakfast, then you will need to watch the foods you consume during the rest of the day to ensure that your cholesterol levels are kept in check.
3. Fried foods
Among the foods to avoid for lowering cholesterol are deep fried foods, such as French fries, fried meats, and cheese sticks. This is because they are not only high in calories, but also contain a high amount of trans fats, which increase your risk of heart disease and harm your overall health too. Fried foods also increase your risk of obesity and other health issues.
4. Baked goods
Baked items, such as cookies, cakes, and pastries, are also to be avoided, especially if they are commercially made. These products can contain a high amount of trans fats due to the hydrogenated vegetable oils that are used to prepare them. Even items baked at home can be bad if you high cholesterol, depending on the ingredients used. For example, muffins made at home with whole milk, eggs, and chocolate chips contain about eight grams of fat per serving. Hence, if you are baking at home, opt for whole wheat flour and check the cholesterol content of the other ingredients being used.
In addition to planning your meals to avoid the above-mentioned foods, keep in mind the size of your portions too.