When your doctor decides that it is time to test your cholesterol, he or she will send you for a blood test, and then wait for the numbers for your cholesterol to come back. You would do well to spend a few minutes discussing these results with your doctor, covering how you can improve them if that is in fact needed, and find out what your risk is for heart disease.
If your cholesterol numbers are not in the optimal range, your doctor may recommend that you take prescription drugs to get your cholesterol numbers under control as soon as possible. Not doing this could lead to heart disease, so take seriously the medical advice you are given.
Now, if your numbers are reasonable, your medical practitioner may just suggest that you improve your diet, switching to one that is low cholesterol, and does not contain many high cholesterol foods on a regular basis.
Once you are aware of the foods that are good and bad for you, then switching to low cholesterol foods should not be a problem, especially since you know that once you are eating better, your heart health is going to be improving, and your risk of heart problems will be decreasing.
This is precisely what you need, a strong heart. But along with the avoidance of a high cholesterol diet, you should also be exercising, may be every other day going for a brisk 30 minute walk, as this will help your fitness level, and your overall health.
So, if you are to consume foods low in cholesterol , what does that mean you will be eating, and what foods should you avoid? It is good to avoid an excess of foods from animals, so things like red meats should be eaten in moderation, with only the leanest cuts of meat being considered. Egg yolks are also of high cholesterol, but the egg whites are fine, so consider switching to egg white products rather than whole eggs.
Butter is not recommended, as it is an animal product, so if you still need to cook in oil, think about using olive oil, especially virgin olive oil. This is processed less than light olive oil which is called that just because it is lighter in color, not lighter in calories.
Oat meal and oat bran is a good food to eat, and is also a great breakfast food. It provides you with soluble fibre, which is also found in barley, pears and apples.
Dried peas, beans and lentils, otherwise called legumes are good for you, because not only do they provide you with soluble fibre, but they also contain plant protein, which is good for the growth of tendons and muscles, as well as good for internal organs, blood, hair and bones, too.
There are obviously a lot more foods that could be mentioned for a diet of low cholesterol, but I am running out of space here. The important thing is to start reducing your cholesterol now, so that you are at lower risk of heart attacks or strokes. But of course, the choice is yours, reduce your cholesterol now, or be at risk for strokes and heart attacks in your future.
Tags: calories, cholesterol, high cholesterol foods, low cholesterol foods, low fat diets, recipes
