"Try a baked apple, poached pear, a bowl of sorbet topped with diced mango," recommends Elizabeth Somer, MA, RD, author of "Eat Your Way to Happiness" (Harlequin, 2009). She also suggests snacking on frozen blueberries or dunking fresh strawberries in a little fat-free dark chocolate syrup.
A better choice is baked chicken or turkey without the skin, baked potatoes or baked “fries” tossed with a little olive oil. Try using an air fryer for a lower-fat “fried” food taste.
“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.
Dark chocolate contains some stearic acid and this has led to claims that chocolate does not raise blood cholesterol. Unfortunately, dark chocolate also contains saturated fats which do raise cholesterol.
Whole Grain Toasts
There is no reason to throw carbs out of the window if you have high cholesterol; just be mindful of what you're eating. Whole wheat or whole grain bread is your best bet due to the high amounts of fiber compared with other bread.
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.
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.
You can dip whole grain crackers or sliced vegetables, such as cucumbers, carrots, celery, or even zucchini. "Eating hummus as a snack is an easy way to get beans into the diet," Klamer says. "They are not only naturally cholesterol free but a good source of soluble fiber, which can help lower blood cholesterol."
How is sugar a major culprit in cholesterol problems? Eating sugar and other carbohydrates raises triglycerides and lowers HDL. It also causes dysfunctional alterations in LDL molecules. LDL levels may seem normal, but this dysfunctional LDL can cause rapid clogging of arteries and increased risk for thrombosis.
By adopting one small change in your eating habits — by lessening or removing sugar from your diet — studies show you can lower your cholesterol, maintain a healthy weight, control blood pressure and blood sugar levels, manage the progression of heart disease and high blood pressure, and increase the chances of a long ...
Candies that contain artificial sweeteners usually have high levels of saturated fat, which causes an increase of cholesterol in the arteries. This increases the risks of heart disease and strokes.
Some evidence suggests consuming white rice in excess may contribute to high cholesterol. However, choosing whole grain varieties adds more fiber and nutrients to the diet and may help someone manage their cholesterol.
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.
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.
Whole-wheat crackers with hummus makes a great bedtime snack with cholesterol-lowering potential. Whole-wheat products can be a great source of fiber, and some crackers are also a good source of unsaturated fat.
Eating too much saturated fat or trans fats can result in unhealthy cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are found in fatty cuts of meat and full-fat dairy products. Trans fats are often found in packaged snacks or desserts.
Nonfat Greek yogurt has about 9 mg of cholesterol per serving, while a single serving of Yoplait Original French Vanilla Yogurt has 10 mg, and Chobani Flip Cookie Dough Yogurt has 15 mg. Ironically, some yogurts have been shown to reduce levels of LDL cholesterol, potentially because of their probiotic content.