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 numbers to be reported. Plan to spend a little discussing these numbers with your doctor, covering how you can improve them if that is in fact needed, and find out what your risk is for heart disease.
If your cholesterol numbers are not in the optimal range, your doctor may suggest that you take prescription medications to help get your cholesterol levels in a better range as quickly as possible. Not doing this could lead to heart attacks, so consider carefully the medical advice you are given.
Now, if your numbers are reasonable, your medical practitioner may just encourage you to improve your diet, switching to one that is low cholesterol, and does not contain many high cholesterol foods on a regular basis.
Once you are aware of the foods that are good and bad for you, 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 getting lower.
This is exactly what you need, a strong heart. But along with the avoidance of a high cholesterol diet, you need to be exercising, may be four days a week going for a brisk walk for about 30 minutes, as this will help your fitness level, and your general health.
So, if you are to consume low cholesterol foods , what does that mean you will be consuming, and what foods should you avoid? It is necessary to avoid an excess of foods from animals, this means red meats should be eaten in moderation, with only the leanest cuts of meat being considered. Egg yolks are also high in cholesterol, but the egg whites are good for you, so consider moving over 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 need to cook 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 non-animal protein, which is good for the growth of tendons and muscles, as well as good for healthy blood, bones, hair and internal organs too.
Naturally, there are a lot more foods that could be mentioned for a low cholesterol diet, but there is limited space here. The important thing is to start reducing your cholesterol now, so that you are at lower risk of heart disease or strokes. But of course, the choice is yours, reduce your cholesterol now, or be at risk for strokes and heart attacks in your future.
Tags: calories, cholesterol, high cholesterol foods, low cholesterol foods, low fat diets, recipes
