Reduced-fat milk, yoghurt and cheese are better options for people with heart disease or high cholesterol. Butter, cream and ice cream are not part of a heart-healthy diet. Unflavoured milk, yoghurt and cheese are 'neutral' for heart health.
People who need to limit their cholesterol intake (for example, those who are trying to lose weight or are following a heart-healthy diet), should consider fat-free cow's milk or other, nondairy, forms of milk.
Full-fat dairy
Whole milk, butter and full-fat yogurt and cheese are high in saturated fat. Cheese also tends to be high in sodium, and most Americans get too much sodium, too.
Dairy products are associated with many negative health effects due to previous observations relating to their saturated fatty acid (SFA) content, which may lead to increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels, thus an increased risk of cardiovascular disease [8].
A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that eating yogurt can lower total cholesterol levels by up to 4%. Yogurt contains probiotics, which can help to improve digestion and reduce inflammation.
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.
Cheese and other dairy products are among the foods most likely to raise a person's cholesterol level. The extent of the increase will depend on the type of cheese. However, cheese also offers some nutritional benefits as it contains calcium and vitamins.
By controlling your cholesterol, Greek yogurt may help you avoid heart disease or slow its progression.
“Almonds are heart-healthy,” says cardiologist Dr. Day, who recommends almond milk to his heart patients. Unsweetened almond milk contains between 30 and 40 calories per 1-cup serving and has no saturated fat. And because it's a plant-based milk, it also contains no cholesterol.
Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods
Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears. Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Five to 10 grams or more of soluble fiber a day decreases your LDL cholesterol.
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.
The fiber and potassium in bananas can reduce the level of cholesterol and blood pressure. Banana is especially known as a good source of soluble fibre which will gives one a healthy body and good immune system. Grapes get into the bloodstream and carry all the bad cholesterol into the liver where it gets processed.
Unsweetened almond milk contains between 30-40 calories per 1-cup serving and has zero saturated fat. And since it is plant-based milk, it also contains no cholesterol at all. Fortified versions of almond milk contain the same amount of vitamin D, an essential nutrient, as skim cow's milk.
Cutting back on saturated fat (found in meat and dairy products) and trans fat (partially hydrogenated oils) can reduce cholesterol by 5% to 10%.
While coffee does not contain cholesterol, it can affect cholesterol levels. The diterpenes in coffee suppress the body's production of substances involved in cholesterol breakdown, causing cholesterol to increase. Specifically, coffee diterpenes may cause an increase in total cholesterol and LDL levels.
They are cholesterol-free and sodium-free, with only 110 calories per 5.3oz serving. Based on the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), potatoes can help Americans of all ages follow a healthy eating pattern.
Due to its high amount of unsaturated fats, peanut butter may help reduce a person's LDL cholesterol levels. Having optimal LDL levels is linked with a lower risk of heart disease. A 2015 study found that people who had a high intake of nuts may have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease mortality.
Oat milk contains oat beta glucans, which can help maintain normal cholesterol levels when you consume 3g a day as part of a balanced diet. A 250ml glass of oat milk provides 1g of beta glucans (a bowl of porridge made with 40g of oats provides 2g of beta glucans).
“Chocolate doesn't increase cholesterol levels, but it doesn't decrease cholesterol levels either.” Still, cocoa — a major ingredient in chocolate — may prove to be the next frontier in health research, according to Kris-Etherton.
Individually, both honey and cinnamon may lower risks of developing heart disease. Honey has been shown to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by 6%, triglyceride levels by 11%, and potentially boost HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Cinnamon, in turn, has been shown to reduce total cholesterol levels.
Like many other fruits and vegetables, avocados have no cholesterol. Healthy avocados also contain good fats and can improve your intake of dietary fat, which in moderation helps with nutrient absorption, without raising LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels.
Try switching to whole-wheat or whole-grain varieties. These types of bread are also high in fiber, which can help lower your cholesterol. You might also try low-carbohydrate varieties of bread, but make sure that you check out the fat and fiber content on the food nutrition label before you make your choice.
Most bread is made with flour, water, and yeast and contains no cholesterol. But some types are made using animal products with high levels of saturated fats, which often contain cholesterol. Additionally, bread made from white or refined grains can raise LDL cholesterol levels.
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.