Should your doctor decide that it is time to check your cholesterol, he or she will send you for a blood test, and then wait for the results of the cholesterol test to be reported. You would do well to spend a few minutes discussing these numbers with your doctor, covering how you can optimize them if that is in fact needed, and ask what your risk is for heart disease.
If your cholesterol numbers are not in the optimal range, your doctor may recommend that you take prescription drugs to help get your cholesterol numbers in a better range as quickly as possible. If you do not do this it could lead to heart disease, so take seriously the medical advice you are given.
Now, if your numbers are acceptable, your doctor may just suggest that you improve your diet, switching to one that is low cholesterol, and does not contain many high cholesterol foods regularly.
Once you are aware of the foods that you should and should not be eating, then switching to good foods should be no difficulty, especially since you know that once you have changed, your heart health is going to be improving, and your risk of heart problems will be getting lower.
This is precisely what you need, a strong heart. But along with the avoidance of a high cholesterol diet, you should also 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 overall health.
So, if you are to eat low cholesterol foods , what does that mean you will be consuming, and what foods should you not eat? It is necessary to avoid an excess of foods from animals, so things like red meats should be consumed 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 so called just because it is lighter in color, not lighter in calories.
Oat bran and oatmeal is a good food to eat, and is also a great way to start your day. It gives your body soluble fibre, which is also found in apples, pears and barley.
Legumes, such as dried peas, dried beans and lentils are good for you, because not only do they provide you with soluble fibre, but they also contain plant protein, which is good for the growth of tendons and muscles, as well as good for internal organs, blood, hair and bones, too.
Naturally, there are a lot more foods that could be mentioned for a diet of low cholesterol, but I am running out of space here. The important thing is to start bringing down your cholesterol now, so that you are not at risk of heart disease or strokes. But of course, this is entirely up to you, reduce your cholesterol now, or run the risk of heart attacks and strokes in your future.
Tags: calories, cholesterol, high cholesterol foods, low cholesterol foods, low fat diets, recipes