Should your doctor decide that it is time to test your cholesterol, he or she will send you for a blood test, and then wait for the cholesterol results and numbers 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 ask what your risk is for heart disease.
If your cholesterol numbers are not acceptable, your doctor may recommend that you take prescription medications to help get your cholesterol levels in a better range as quickly as possible. If you do not do this it could lead to heart disease, so consider carefully the medical advice you are given.
Now, if your numbers are acceptable, your doctor may just encourage you to improve your diet, moving to a low cholesterol diet, and does not contain many foods of high cholesterol on a regular basis.
Once you are aware of the foods that you should and should not be eating, then switching to good foods should be no difficulty, especially as you know that once you are eating better, your heart health will be improving, and your risk of heart problems will be getting lower.
This is precisely what you need, a healthy heart. But along with the avoidance of a high cholesterol diet, you need to 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 eat low cholesterol foods , what does that mean you will be consuming, and what foods should you avoid? It is good to avoid an excess of animal products, 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 think about switching to egg white products rather than complete eggs.
On the list of not recommended is butter, as it is derived from an animal, so if you still want to in oil, think about using olive oil, especially virgin olive oil. This is processed less than light olive oil which is so called just because it is lighter in color, not lighter in calories.
Oat bran and oatmeal is good for you to eat, and is a great way to start your day. It provides you with soluble fibre, which is also found in barley, pears and apples.
Legumes, such as dried peas, dried beans and lentils are good for you, because not only do they provide you with soluble fibre, but they also contain non-animal protein, which is good for the growth of muscles and tendons, as well as good for internal organs, blood, hair and bones, too.
There are obviously many more foods that contribute to a diet low in cholesterol, but there is limited space here. What is important is to start reducing your cholesterol now, so that you are not at risk of heart disease or strokes. But of course, this is entirely up to you, lower your cholesterol now, or run the risk of heart attacks and strokes in your future.
Tags: calories, cholesterol, high cholesterol foods, low cholesterol foods, low fat diets, recipes
