Delicious High cholesterol foods to avoid

With fast food and processed goods becoming the norm, many are unaware that most items on their menus are high cholesterol foods to avoid. These foods contain saturated and trans fats that can build up on arteries and send your health on a downward spiral. From French fries to butter, cholesterol can be found in a variety of foods, even in those you thought were healthy.

What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a substance in the body that forms part of our cells. It can either be made naturally by your liver or come from the food you eat. When you have healthy levels of cholesterol, the body can produce vitamin D and hormones essential to life. It also helps your digestive system by producing bile in the intestine, and can strengthen the walls of your cells.

What Are The Effects Of High Cholesterol?

If your diet consists of foods high in unhealthy fats, cholesterol levels will steadily rise. When there is too much cholesterol in the blood, arteries can become clogged and narrow. When blood flow is restricted, it can damage your heart and health. It is important to know that having high levels does not produce symptoms right away. It is through eating high cholesterol foods to avoid over time that causes build-up and ultimately results in illness.

What Are The High Cholesterol Foods To Avoid?

Some foods are well-known for raising cholesterol levels. These include fried fast food, ice cream, milk shakes, commercially-baked treats and some cooking oils. Less obvious foods that can also spike your levels are too many eggs, butter, corned beef, untrimmed beef, cream, cheeses and pastrami.

Fast food and store-baked snacks contain obscene amounts of trans fats that the body finds difficult to process. This fat is then broken down into cholesterol and is distributed throughout your system by lipoproteins. These foods are easy to identify. However, high cholesterol caused by healthy foods presents a challenge. Since you cannot strike out these items from your diet, the best way is to watch and limit your intake.

Are There Foods To Lower Cholesterol?

Fortunately, there is a very wide selection of items you can use to replace high cholesterol foods to avoid. Replacing fatty meats with skinless chicken, turkey, veal and lamb can help keep your levels in check. Butter and margarine can be replaced with olive oil, and full-cream milk with a fat-free option.

Aim to eat greener meals with leafy vegetables and fruits to counter cholesterol buildup. You can also add beans and whole grain bread for a protein and carbohydrate top-up. Avocadoes are another excellent option. Not only do they prevent bad cholesterol from accumulating in your body, they add healthy cholesterol that is good for you. If you’re a meat lover, make sure you trim it of fat and add flavor with a little garlic and onions.

Although fast food and greasy treats are at the top of high cholesterol foods to avoid list, healthy foods also need to be eaten in moderation. Whether you like your eggs in the morning or a juicy steak for dinner, you should avoid overloading on these foods. By making simple replacements and avoiding fried and processed foods, you can maintain a healthy level of cholesterol and a healthy heart.

Useful links:

Foods to avoid for high cholesterol – WebMD

Ten High Cholesterol Foods to avoid – Everyday health