If you have high cholesterol, you have an increased risk of developing heart disease. Although cholesterol helps with cell and hormone formation, too much of it can cause plaque to build up on the walls of your arteries. This is what leads to heart disease and the possibility of suffering a heart attack. To lower your cholesterol, you must make lifestyle adjustments, one of which revolves around your diet.
Avoidance
Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is part of the total cholesterol number. It is your "bad" cholesterol, and you want to keep this number low. A way you can do this with your diet is by lowering your intake of saturated fats and trans fats. These can be found in whole-milk dairy products, red meat and processed baked goods. When you buy foods that are packaged, avoid anything that has hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils in them.
Eggs
Eggs are high in protein and amino acids, but they are also high in fat and dietary cholesterol. Under normal circumstances, eggs are safe, but when you have high cholesterol, you should limit them to two a week. This is taken from the TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes) diet, which is endorsed by the American Heart Association. The whites of the eggs can be eaten at will.
There are some other foods that are naturally high in cholesterol, and they should be limited as well. Examples include pork, organ meats and veal. According to the TLC diet, you should get no more than 200 mg of cholesterol a day.
Caloric Restriction
Being overweight or obese can increase your risk for high cholesterol. If your levels are already high and you are overweight, reduce your calories to get your weight down. If you cut 500 calories a day and burn 500 calories a day through exercise, you can lose 2 lb. a week.
Fiber Intake
Fruits, vegetables and whole grains all have one thing in common: they are good sources of fiber. According to the Mayo Clinic, eating foods that are high in fiber can help lower your cholesterol levels. Examples of high-fiber whole grains include brown rice, whole wheat pasta, whole grain bread, oat bran and oatmeal.
Fish
Fish is high in protein, and it is a good alternative to add to your diet in place of high-fat meats. Cold-water fish like salmon, herring, halibut and mackerel are also high in a healthy type of fat called "omega-3 fatty acids." According to the Mayo Clinic, omega-3s can improve the health of your heart.
