Cholesterol is a problem that often strikes people over 40 (although it can trouble those younger too). Having high cholesterol is often as a result of years of poor diet and bad nutrition and it is not only bad for your body but also bad for your heart. It is one of the most damaging health issues to live with and it is vital that you deal to it as quickly and efficiently as possible. One of the best ways to do this is with your diet. If you suspect you have high cholesterol, the best thing to do is request a blood test from your doctor. He or she will tell you your exact cholesterol level and decide on the best diet and course of treatment for you. Don't go thinking that the cholesterol prevention diet is a complex one: it isn't! Far from it! It focuses on eating simple foods in their natural form and after a few weeks, you will start to enjoy your healthy new diet and a trimmer, healthier new you. Check out our list below of what foods to include and what foods to ban to help you beat your cholesterol.
Animal Fats One of the most important things to exclude from your diet (or at least reduce drastically) is saturated or animal fats. Swap to Trim milk, cut the excess fat off of meat, reduce your intake of red meat and opt for chicken or turkey instead. If you eat meat twice or three times a day, try to cut down to only once a day and save your steak, roast lamb or lamb shanks as a weekly treat instead of a weeknight regular. You can also make a simple change to using low-fat cheese and reduce the amount of dairy in your diet. Soy is a great alternative.
Good Fats There are some fats that are good for you, though, and these can actually help lower cholesterol. Mono and polyunsaturated fats are fantastic: think along the lines of olive oil, nuts, avocado and oily fish. Try to have one serving every day as part of your new balanced diet. Use olive oil for salad dressings and cooking, sprinkle nuts and seeds on salad and eat oily fish in place of meat twice a week.
Fibre Specifically soluble fibre, such as that found in porridge oats, is thought to be good for reducing cholesterol by finding and removing the bad LDL cholesterol from your body. Perhaps start making your own oatmeal muesli? Or start the day with porridge? Fruits and vegetables will also add to your daily fibre intake and are vital as part of a healthy new you.
Plant Sterols Great products to include in your new diet are those with plant sterols added to them. Flora Pro-Active is one particular brand that has been scientifically proven to help lower cholesterol levels. Flora has a fantastic range of spreads, oils and yoghurts all in the Pro-Active range with added plant sterols to help your body balance itself out again. Or you could also include fruit juices as part of your daily diet.
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