Understanding What a Low Cholesterol Diet is

Basically, in order to lower your cholesterol, you will have to follow a diet that is

low in saturated fat and
low in cholesterol

This is absolutely essential in helping you to lower your cholesterol. You must understand that although cholesterol lowering medications can be prescribed by your doctor, you will still need to follow a controlled diet specifically to help reduce your high blood cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol is found in eggs, dairy products, fish, meat and poultry. Be aware that many foods contain both high in saturated fat and cholesterol, such as diary products (especially egg yolks) and red meats. Therefore, it is important to limit the amount of such high-fat foods. It is also recommended to opt for the low fat versions of any type of food, especially dairy products (low fat yoghurts, cheeses, etc)

Basic Foods of a Low Cholesterol Diet

Foods to eat:

lean meats
skinless poultry
fish
low fat dairy products
complex carbohydrates: pasta, rice, potatoes, bread, cereals, fruits, vegetables
low calorie fizzy drinks (limit to one a day)
drink plenty of water

How to cook:

grill or roast meats
steam or boil vegetables
steam fish
microwave
use low fat oils

Foods to avoid:

crisps, biscuits, chocolate, sweets
dont add whole milk, butter, rich sauces or cream to pasta dishes or any other meal
try avoiding white bread
alcohol
fizzy drinks

Tip:

If you love pasta dishes with sauces, try low fat versions such as adding a tin of tomatoes with a dash of garlic and Worcester sauce as a tomato-based sauce, low-fat crme fresh for a cream-based sauce or a cheese sauce packet-mix made with skimmed milk for a cheese-based sauce.

Get used to experimenting with herbs and spices to add different and exotic flavours to your meals.

Exercise Love it or hate it!

Do you hate to exercise? Dont be ashamed if you do, many people dislike doing any form of exercise. The key here is to find something that you enjoy doing. It does not necessarily mean you must go to the gym three times a week, or run a mile four times a week. Count exercise as any type of movement that gets you out of your chair! Some examples:

walking (the dog)
walk up and down the stairs
swimming
cycling
netball / volleyball / basketball etc
gardening
skipping with ropes
dancing
cleaning / dusting the house
decorating
look after a toddler for a day!

Try and find something you enjoy doing and do some form of regular exercise as it does play an important role in cholesterol-reduction.