About reducing your cholesterol levels by avoiding unhealthy foods
Elevated cholesterol levels reduce arterial blood flow, which can cause a number of health complications including chest pain, heart attack and stroke.
A healthy diet is the cornerstone of reducing cholesterol levels and getting back on the path to healthy living.
Dietary cholesterol is very prevalent in the modern diet of most people who live in developed countries.
The American Heart Association recommends that people follow a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet that limits dietary cholesterol and unhealthy fats.
Dietary Cholesterol
Normally, the liver produces enough cholesterol in the body to maintain proper function. While there is nothing wrong with supplementing this cholesterol with dietary cholesterol, overdoing it can quickly diminish your heart health. For this reason, it is important to reduce foods that are heavy in cholesterol, including fatty meat and high-fat dairy products.
Saturated Fat
Eating excessive amount of saturated fat will increase your “bad” LDL cholesterol. Foods that are heavy in saturated fat include meat such as beef, pork, lamb and veal. Saturated fats are also found in cream, butter, cheese, ice cream, heavy cream, 2% milk and whole milk.
According to the American Heart Association, your daily consumption of saturated fat should not exceed 7% of your total daily caloric intake.
Trans Fats
Most nutritionists now agree that trans fats, also known as trans-fatty acids, are even more dangerous than foods that are heavy in saturated fats. Trans fat sources include margarine, fried foods, many types of baked goods, potato chips, canned soups, hydrogenated peanut butter and frozen meals.
There are food companies that use whole grains, healthy oils and other non-trans fat ingredients to make baked goods, frozen foods and other food items that typically are bad for your heart health.
Getting used to reading ingredient labels will help you to distinguish between products that contain trans fats that will increase your LDL cholesterol and products that are made with your health in mind.
If you have questions about reducing your cholesterol levels by avoiding unhealthy foods, contact your local doctor who will arrange for you to see a dietitian and nutritionist. Contact us at ENT Wellbeing, Call 1300 123 368 Sydney.
