Foods to Avoid to Lower Cholestrol

Certain foods raise low density lipoproteins, or LDLs, better known as bad cholesterol. Among the simplest steps for lowering cholesterol is to reduce the amount of high-fat foods in your diet.

Fast food is among the worst choices when trying to lower cholesterol

Identification

All food from animals contains cholesterol, while most fruits and vegetables do not.

Types

Contributing to high LDLs are fats, high-cholesterol meats, smoking and the heavy consumption of alcohol.

Fats

Saturated and trans fats are the worst offenders for raising bad cholesterol. Avoid non-skim dairy products, butter, cream cheese, fast food and fried food.

Warning

Although all meats contain cholesterol, some contain more than others. Shrimp, beef kidneys, duck, goose, processed luncheon meats, and fatty cuts of beef and pork significantly raise LDLs.

Considerations

Although not made from animals, most commercial baked goods and snack foods contain hydrogenated oils which are bad for cholesterol levels.

Misconceptions

Some foods derived from plants are also high in saturated fats, especially palm oil, palm kernel oil, coconuts and coconut oil.

References

• eMedTV

Resources

• University of Alabama Birmingham