How Can Oatmeal Lower Cholesterol?
If you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol, you might be thinking about foods you can eat that will help to lower that cholesterol and maintain your health. Oatmeal is one of the best foods for lowering cholesterol, and it’s a versatile food so it can be eaten in many different ways – from a warm bowl in the morning to healthy oatmeal cookies. Below, we’ll answer the question, ‘how can oatmeal lower cholesterol?’
Oatmeal contains soluble fiber, which is one of the best things for lowering LDL or low-density lipoprotein, which is often referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol. It helps to reduce the absorption of cholesterol into the blood stream from fatty meats, meats with skin, sugar, and more. In order to really benefit from the oatmeal, you’ll need to take in about 10 or more grams of soluble fiber each day. One bowl of oatmeal has about 6 grams, so that’s a huge part of the daily need.
Different Ways to Eat Oatmeal to Help Lower Cholesterol
Try eating oatmeal warm in the morning with a splash of skim milk and a sweetener. Sugar works, but healthier substitutes would include honey or Splenda. Fresh fruit can also be chopped and then mixed with the oatmeal to create a sweet breakfast that is full of goodness. There are numerous things that can be added to make oatmeal taste different each day. During the holidays, have a festive treat with 1 to 2 tablespoons of canned pumpkin pie mix.
A spoon of peanut butter stirred into cooked oatmeal adds a rich and creamy peanut butter flavor. Dried fruits like cranberries or pineapples can add some tropical flavor to your oatmeal. Many people eat oatmeal as an unsweet treat with a little butter, salt and pepper – in the same way one would eat grits. Sliced bananas, pecans and cinnamon can be added to oatmeal for those banana bread lovers.
There are literally thousands of combinations you could create with oatmeal. If you want to increase the vitamins and fiber you’re getting, have two bowls of oatmeal a day – one for breakfast and one as a snack between lunch and dinner. Just keep the portions small and you’ll be doing a great things for your cholesterol and for your heart.
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