Triglycerides consist of fatty acids and glycerol and, when elevated, are linked to increased risk of heart disease, pancreatitis and stroke. The National Cholesterol Education Program, or NCEP, guidelines categorize fasting triglyceride levels less than 150 mg/dl as normal, 150 to 199 mg/dl as borderline high, 200 to 499 mg/dl as high and above 500 mg/dl as very high. The NCEP recommends losing weight, increasing physical activity to at least 30 minutes per day on at least five days of the week, medication therapy and diet management to improve triglyceride levels.
Low-fat Diet
The NCEP recommends consuming less than 15 percent of calories from fat when triglyceride levels are above 500 mg/dl. For someone following a 2,000-calorie diet, this would equate to no more than 33g of fat per day. Foods low in fat include fruits, vegetables, lean meats, low-fat dairy and whole-grains. Limit high-fat foods such as butter, sour cream, margarine, oils, cream cheese, salad dressing, fatty meats, whole-milk dairy products, fried foods and sweets.
Fish Oils
Eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, are omega-3 fatty acids found in fish such as tuna, salmon and mackerel. The American Heart Association recommends a daily intake of 2 to 4g of EPA and DHA for people with high triglyceride levels. Four to 7 oz. of salmon per day would need to be consumed to meet this requirement, or supplements may be used. Intake of high-dose fish oils should be monitored under a physician's care, because they may cause bleeding in some people.
Carbohydrates
The AHA recommends a diet with less than 60 percent of calories from carbohydrates to lower triglyceride levels. For someone following a 2,000-calorie diet, 300g or less of carbohydrates would be appropriate. Examples of foods that include carbohydrates are pasta, bread, cereal, rice, sweets, sugared drinks, fruit, grains and starchy vegetables.
