Cholesterol diet plans: Start lowing your cholesterol today!

Did you know that following a low-cholesterol diet is the best way to reduce your cholesterol? Healthy dieting makes more of a difference than exercise, therapy or any other kinds of cholesterol treatments. Just adding two servings of fish to your weekly diet can reduce your cholesterol levels by as much as 18 percent! You’ve come to the right place to begin learning about low-cholesterol diets, as we’ve scoured the Internet to find the top diet deals and the most relevant information. Start on your low-cholesterol diet plan today!

Millions struggle with high cholesterol

If you have high cholesterol, you’re far from being alone. Turns out, more than 98 million adults in the United States qualify for having mildly or seriously high cholesterol levels. High cholesterol isn’t something that happens overnight – many people with high cholesterol don’t put a lot of care into their diets, or they may not stay in shape with regular exercise. High cholesterol has become more of a problem in the United States as the obesity rate has climbed. Having high cholesterol can leave you vulnerable to heart attacks and other forms of cardiovascular disease.

Low-cholesterol diets

The best way to avoid high cholesterol is by making healthy lifestyle choices. People who are thin, exercise regularly, avoid smoking and eat a balanced diet (while avoiding fast and processed foods) are much less likely to have high cholesterol. With that in mind, it makes sense that the best way to reduce your cholesterol level is to adopt these same healthy habits and integrate them into your life.

There are two keys for building an effective cholesterol-lowering diet:

Increase your intake of soluble fiber

Soluble fiber can’t be digested by your body. However, soluble fiber absorbs bad cholesterols, water and other chemicals as it passes through your intestines. As a result, eating foods rich in soluble fiber – foods such as oatmeal, beans and vegetables – can greatly reduce the amount of low-density lipoproteins in your body. Dietitians recommend starting your day with a bowl of hot oatmeal or cream of wheat.

Decrease your saturated and trans fat intake

Saturated fats and trans fats cause your body to increase its production of bad cholesterol. Saturated fats are found in red meats, poultry skins, dairy products, junk food, fast food, processed food and more. Trans fats are most often found in chips, cereals, cookies, baked goods and processed and fast foods. The best way to reduce the amount of saturated and trans fat in your diet is to cook with fresh, whole foods and avoid using fatty sauces. When preparing meat dishes, use select cuts of meat and remove the skin when necessary. By cooking meat on a rack, you can drain off excess fat before serving your meal.

Eating seafood

A little fish can go a long way in reducing your cholesterol. Fish contains valuable omega-3 fatty acids that promote a healthy cardiovascular system while curbing the production of bad cholesterols in your body. Omega-3 fatty acids also boost the production of high-density lipoproteins, which are also known as good cholesterols. Salmon, tuna, trout, mackerel and several other types of fish are high in Omega-3 fatty acids. In addition to helping your heart and reducing your cholesterol, eating fish is highly recommended for people who are just trying to lose weight.