Low cholesterol foods really should be a part of your everyday eating habits. By not adding extra cholesterol to your body, you give your arteries a break.
Your own body produces cholesterol, which is a fatty substance also known as a lipid. Cholesterol is manufactured in your liver but can be over-produced by the overly fatty foods that we all-too-often eat. Cholesterol is really vital for our bodies to perform properly. However, too much cholesterol is not good and is a common cause of heart disease and can escalate the threat of strokes.
That being said, what are the top five low cholesterol foods that you ought to be eating to maintain healthy cholesterol levels?
First - Eat Your Veggies and Fruits
You likely realize the healthy, low fat low cholesterol properties of fruit and vegetables. Vegetables even more so (since they don't have as much natural sugar as fruit does). It's just important not to add cream, butter or fatty dressings on them. While the dressings and sauces taste great, by putting them on, you've just erased the health-giving benefits of the fruits and vegetables.
Add Healthy Grains
Grains tend to be ignored, which is a shame. These wonder foods are high in soluble fiber and typically low in fat. What are these wonderful foods? Think of items like oats, barley, pulses and some fruits.
It's Not Nutty -- It's Healthy
Nuts and seeds really should be part of your daily (or at least weekly) diet. But don't include them if they are roasted in oil and salt, or smothered in chocolate. However, plain nuts and seeds are great. An excellent way of using these is to throw a handful into your soups, stews, pasta sauces and salads. They give great quality and are a good way to get your children used to eating low cholesterol foods.
Go Fish!
Fish are the exception to the "go lean" rule; in this case, fatty is much better! Cold-water fish such as salmon, trout and tuna are all fatty but they are great, as is most fish in general. Just be careful that any canned fish isn't packed in oil, and doesn't have a lot of added salt.
Meat is OK
If you like meat then that's ok too. Clearly, you don't want to eat fatty meat, but lean meat is okay.. Did you know that lean pork without any fat is as low in cholesterol as cottage cheese? Just skip the crispy bacon (sigh).
If you are planning to enjoy some red meat, be sure to add a good-sized salad or steamed vegetables (without butter) to your meal. The healthy benefits of salads and vegetables help to negate some of the fat remaining in red meat.
Don't Undo What You've Done
Now that you are more familiar with the types of foods you ought to be consuming, think about how you prepare them. I've already mentioned several "gotchas" such as sardines packed in oil or nuts covered with chocolate.
You only have one heart, and if you are trying to help keep it healthy by eating low cholesterol foods, be sure the foods stay that way! Become used to reading labels, and ask what is in the dressing (or make do without it).
Keep your heart and body safe with healthy foods. It will thank you for it!
You Can Lower Cholesterol Without Drugs -- Here's FREE Information How! - 30310
Your own body produces cholesterol, which is a fatty substance also known as a lipid. Cholesterol is manufactured in your liver but can be over-produced by the overly fatty foods that we all-too-often eat. Cholesterol is really vital for our bodies to perform properly. However, too much cholesterol is not good and is a common cause of heart disease and can escalate the threat of strokes.
That being said, what are the top five low cholesterol foods that you ought to be eating to maintain healthy cholesterol levels?
First - Eat Your Veggies and Fruits
You likely realize the healthy, low fat low cholesterol properties of fruit and vegetables. Vegetables even more so (since they don't have as much natural sugar as fruit does). It's just important not to add cream, butter or fatty dressings on them. While the dressings and sauces taste great, by putting them on, you've just erased the health-giving benefits of the fruits and vegetables.
Add Healthy Grains
Grains tend to be ignored, which is a shame. These wonder foods are high in soluble fiber and typically low in fat. What are these wonderful foods? Think of items like oats, barley, pulses and some fruits.
It's Not Nutty -- It's Healthy
Nuts and seeds really should be part of your daily (or at least weekly) diet. But don't include them if they are roasted in oil and salt, or smothered in chocolate. However, plain nuts and seeds are great. An excellent way of using these is to throw a handful into your soups, stews, pasta sauces and salads. They give great quality and are a good way to get your children used to eating low cholesterol foods.
Go Fish!
Fish are the exception to the "go lean" rule; in this case, fatty is much better! Cold-water fish such as salmon, trout and tuna are all fatty but they are great, as is most fish in general. Just be careful that any canned fish isn't packed in oil, and doesn't have a lot of added salt.
Meat is OK
If you like meat then that's ok too. Clearly, you don't want to eat fatty meat, but lean meat is okay.. Did you know that lean pork without any fat is as low in cholesterol as cottage cheese? Just skip the crispy bacon (sigh).
If you are planning to enjoy some red meat, be sure to add a good-sized salad or steamed vegetables (without butter) to your meal. The healthy benefits of salads and vegetables help to negate some of the fat remaining in red meat.
Don't Undo What You've Done
Now that you are more familiar with the types of foods you ought to be consuming, think about how you prepare them. I've already mentioned several "gotchas" such as sardines packed in oil or nuts covered with chocolate.
You only have one heart, and if you are trying to help keep it healthy by eating low cholesterol foods, be sure the foods stay that way! Become used to reading labels, and ask what is in the dressing (or make do without it).
Keep your heart and body safe with healthy foods. It will thank you for it!
You Can Lower Cholesterol Without Drugs -- Here's FREE Information How! - 30310
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