If you have high cholesterol, you should talk with your doctor about what you eat, including meat. There are good, lean choices. For example, you can consider chicken or turkey breasts without skin; pork tenderloin; or beef round, sirloin, or tenderloin. Avoid highly processed meats (bacon, ham, lunchmeat, etc.).
Eating chicken that has been prepared skinless with the addition of minimal ingredients will not increase your levels of bad cholesterol. However, depending on the way you prepare it, your cholesterol level may go up, although it will most likely be nothing to worry about.
You don't have to avoid meat entirely, just eat it only on occasion. Limit yourself to the recommended 3-ounce portion size and stick to leaner cuts like sirloin, pork loin, or filet mignon.
Skinless, lean, and ground chicken or turkey breast are good low-cholesterol choices. 100g of lean cuts of turkey breast contain around 104mg of cholesterol. While this seems like a lot, it only has 3g of saturated fat. 100g of skinless chicken breast contains 73mg of cholesterol and 0.5g of saturated fat.
The worst foods for high cholesterol, given their high saturated fat content, include: Red meat, like beef, pork, and lamb, as well as processed meats like sausage. Full-fat dairy, like cream, whole milk, and butter.
Chicken eggs are an affordable source of protein and other nutrients. They're also naturally high in cholesterol. But the cholesterol in eggs doesn't seem to raise cholesterol levels the way some other foods, such as those high in trans fats and saturated fats, do.
The American Heart Association recommends the average person eat no more than six ounces of cooked lean meat, skinless chicken and seafood per day, 4-5 servings per week.
Potatoes are cholesterol-free and have zero saturated fat
Consuming foods that are low in cholesterol and saturated fat help reduce risk of suffering from heart diseases to some extent. So if you have a heart problem, adding some slices of boiled potatoes as a side can help in giving your heart the much needed TLC.
Potatoes are also fat-free, gluten-free, plant-based, affordable, and a quality carbohydrate. They are cholesterol-free and sodium-free, with only 110 calories per 5.3oz serving.
People with raised cholesterol often wonder if it's OK to eat eggs, as egg yolk is rich in cholesterol. Generally speaking, it should be fine for most people, as the cholesterol in eggs does not have a significant effect on blood cholesterol. It's much more important to limit the amount of saturated fat you eat.
You don't have to cut cheese out of your diet, but if you have high cholesterol or blood pressure, use high-fat cheeses sparingly. A 30g portion of cheese provides seven per cent of your daily calories and there can be more salt in a portion of cheddar than in a packet of crisps.
Excess saturated fat consumption can increase your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. However, eating a moderate amount of chicken tenders as a part of a balanced diet will not affect cholesterol levels significantly.
May Elevate Your Cholesterol Levels
If you're eating KFC almost every day, your cholesterol levels are likely higher than they should be. However, this leads to high LDL(low-density lipoprotein), a harmful type of cholesterol.
If you have high cholesterol, pasta doesn't have to be completely off-limits. By choosing healthy noodle alternatives and other heart-healthy ingredients, you can make cholesterol-friendly pasta dishes. Try to steer clear of high-fat cheeses and meats. Instead, opt for low-fat and lean varieties.
Heart Health
Greek yogurt has been connected to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which can reduce your risk of heart disease. Cholesterol and triglycerides can harden or block your arteries over time, leading to heart disease or atherosclerosis.
Tomatoes are a significant source of a plant compound called lycopene, which reduces levels of LDL cholesterol. Research shows that the body absorbs more lycopene if the tomatoes are processed or cooked, so drink tomato juice and add tomatoes to your minestrone soup as well.
Can you still eat bread if you have high levels of cholesterol? Yes! You can still eat bread, but some types of bread are a lot healthier for you to eat if you have high cholesterol levels. Most bread products are primarily made of wheat flour.
Some evidence suggests eating refined grains, such as white rice, may contribute to a person developing high cholesterol levels. Therefore, advisory bodies recommend that people consume at least half their daily allowance of grains in their whole, unrefined form.
People watching their cholesterol should avoid high-fat cuts of steak and instead choose lean cuts such as sirloin or round cuts. Additionally, consider avoiding “prime” or “choice” cuts of beef. The USDA notes these are grades of beef that indicate high marbling, or fat content.