Low Cholesterol Diet Plan
Being diagnosed with high cholesterol can be alarming. You may feel that you have no control over your cholesterol levels, but this is not necessarily the case. It is possible to lower your cholesterol significantly by making a few small dietary changes.
The first step you need to take is to limit the amount of saturated fat. Saturated fat is found primarily in animal products and processed foods. It can also be found in some plant products, such as coconut oil and palm oil. Eliminating fatty meats is just one thing you can do to lower your cholesterol; however, the most difficult task is eliminating other sources of saturated fat. This can be a difficult thing to eliminate from your diet because palm and coconut oils are ingredients in many processed foods, like chips, crackers, and cookies. In order to be successful, you will need to read the labels of all the foods you purchase.
You should also introduce more antioxidants into your diet. Antioxidants prevent oxidation in blood vessels, which then does not allow cholesterol to attach and clog arteries. One of the best ways to introduce antioxidants to your diet is to drink one glass of red wine with dinner. Doctors are now encouraging their patients to drink one glass of red wine a day because studies have shown that wine consumption helps regulate the heart and lower cholesterol. This is because red wine contains a flavonoid that prevents plaque build up in the arteries and protects against the development of blood clots. The only bad news? This flavonoid is not present in white wine.
You will also need to increase the amount of fiber in your diet. This can be easily done by making the change from white bread to whole wheat or multigrain bread. You should also change the pasta you eat. Many grocery stores now sell whole wheat pasta, which is a much healthier choice than regular pasta. Once you put sauce on this pasta, you will not be able to taste the difference. You should also switch over from white rice to brown rice. All of these changes will help increase the amount of fiber in your diet.
Increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet will also help increase the amount of fiber in your diet. Do not limit yourself to just apples, oranges, and bananas. Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. If you eat the same thing every day, you most certainly will not be bale to stick with your diet.
If you are interested in a low cholesterol diet, talk with your doctor. After your discussion, your doctor may refer you to a nutritionist who can best help you create your new diet and start a healthy new lifestyle.
By Kristi Patrice Carter