If your doctor has just suggested that you go to a diet for high cholesterol, finding out which foods are good and which are bad regarding this kind of diet plan is important. The reason high cholesterol gives a problem for your health is its link to the blockage of the arteries. As your LDL (bad cholesterol) levels go up, the more restricted your arteries become, the less blood is flowing freely into your heart, and the bigger your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Obviously, the sooner you can start keeping on a diet for high cholesterol the better! Just by staying on a diet for high cholesterol you can bring down your cholesterol, prevent heart disease, and make blood flow easily in your arteries as well.
For people with more complex heart disease, it’s essential to stick to a diet for high cholesterol to stop further weakening of the heart. The best method to get used to an eating plan in line with cholesterol reducing health benefits is to know which foods are bad and which foods are good to the health of your heart.
What’s In
Whole Grains: The high fiber substance in 100% whole grain food is good for a lot more than just balancing bowel movements and increasing energy levels during the day. Research shows that getting adequate amounts of fiber in your daily diet can decrease LDL too. LDL is the “bad” cholesterol that can lead to heart disease.
Fresh Produce: Fresh fruits and vegetables are low calorie, nutrient rich options that help take off extra weight that may cause to high cholesterol and heart disease. In addition, they throw in valuable antioxidants and fiber which will help run cholesterol levels and improve overall health.
Monounsaturated Fat Sources: You must have some fat in your diet to continue healthy body functioning, however you must prefer cautiously from sources of monounsaturated fats like olive oil, canola oil or nuts. You induce some dietary fat through your frequent foods, so anything extra should be narrowed to what is required for simple cooking functions, moderate snacks, and for seasoning.
Omega3 Fatty Acids: Eating pure fish oil or omega3 supplements everyday can go a long way in dealing with cholesterol as well as weight and other health problems that commonly lead to high cholesterol. You could take in fatty fish like salmon in your diet, but you will have to consume it at least 3 times a week for you to receive adequate omega3 to receive the over all health benefits. Plant sources such as flaxseed can be used too, however having a vitamin makes it easier to make sure you get enough amounts.
Exercise: This isn’t necessarily a dietary measure, but when joined with a healthy diet for high cholesterol it will help increase HDL, which is the good cholesterol that provides a healthy body. You don’t have to workout extremely every night of the week. Be sure you are consistent with the plan.
What’s Out
Saturated Fats: Everything high in saturated fat should be avoided as much as possible when staying on a diet for high cholesterol. This includes margarines and many oils and fatty beef. This is the type of fat that blocks arteries and causes heart disease. You can replace soy products and vegetable based “fake” meat products sometimes to lessen meat intake, or simply use extra lean ground turkey in the place of hamburger meat and eat chicken sandwiches in place of burgers.
Trans Fats: It can be extremely tough to eliminate trans fats from your diet since they are now included in practically all prepackaged foods, however they are just as dangerous to your heart and your cholesterol levels as saturated fats and be supposed to be avoided as much as you can while following a diet for high cholesterol.
Cholesterol: Foods that are high in cholesterol are certainly out of the question on a good diet for high cholesterol. It is senseless to deposit something in your body while trying to getting rid of it from your body. The good news is the simple carbohydrates and fatty slices of beef which contain high quantity of saturated and trans fats also contain lots of cholesterol. This makes it easier to identify which foods should be removed or replaced by lower fat and cholesterol foods.
Rejecting the “bad” foods and taking in more of the “good” foods will help you make a diet for high cholesterol that will flatter your taste buds!
For more information about healthy weight loss check this glycemic diet plan guide.