Should your doctor decide that it is time to check your cholesterol, he or she will send you for a blood test, and then wait for the results of the cholesterol test to come back. You would do well to spend a few minutes discussing these numbers with your doctor, asking about how you can optimize 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 suggest that you take prescription drugs to get your cholesterol numbers under control as soon as possible. Not doing this could lead to strokes, 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 hardly contains high cholesterol foods regularly.
Once you are aware of the foods that you should and should not be eating, then switching to good 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 falling.
This is precisely what you want, 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 walk for about 30 minutes, 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 not eat? It is good to avoid an excess of animal products, so things like red meats should be consumed in moderation, with only the leanest cuts of meat being considered. Egg yolks are also of high cholesterol, but the egg whites are good for you, so consider moving over to egg white products rather than whole eggs.
Butter is not recommended, 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 less processed 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 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.
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 muscles and tendons, as well as good for healthy blood, bones, hair and internal organs too.
Naturally, there are a lot more foods that contribute to a low cholesterol diet, but there is limited space here. What is important is to start lowering your cholesterol now, so that you are at lower risk of heart attacks or strokes. But of course, the decision is yours, reduce your cholesterol now, or have the threat of heart attacks and strokes in your future.
Tags: calories, cholesterol, high cholesterol foods, low cholesterol foods, low fat diets, recipes