Gradually changing the diet to include more natural and low-fat foods will start to change cholesterol levels for the better. Working to improve cholesterol levels will result in overall better health and possibly even more energy and a longer life. Talk to your doctor about ideas to lower cholesterol. Then start to modify the diet to eliminate fatty foods and commercial foods that contain too much fat and too many chemicals.
Limit Red Meat Consumption
Gradually start to wean red meat from the diet. Begin to have a non-meat meal for dinner at least one night a week. Slowly start to eat more chicken and fish and reduce the amount of red meat consumed to help lower cholesterol. Meat-free dinners are cost effective, healthier, and will help the body achieve better health over time. A new trend is "meatless Monday." Eschewing meat on just this one day will help to improve health and may benefit the environment too.
Eat Fruits, Vegetables and Grains
Vegetables, fruits and grains help the body to move fat throughout the body more quickly. These foods are low in fat and contain many minerals and vitamins that work to improve health. Adding vegetables to the diet, particularly artichoke, broccoli, cauliflower and dark green vegetables will help to regulate the digestive system and better enable the body to function better as overall cholesterol levels start to drop.
Avoid Fast Food
Make fast food a rare treat rather than a regular habit. Fast food is loaded with toxic fats that will lead to an increase in cholesterol levels. Many fast food meals contain more fat than should be eaten in an entire day. Chemicals in fast food are unhealthy and impact the body in many detrimental ways.
Add Beans and Garlic to Diet
Beans are believed to help remove cholesterol from the body. They are also very filling; thus beans help to satiate the appetite and decrease the impulse for snacks. Also, garlic is believed to help naturally lower cholesterol levels. Adding garlic to salads, on bread, and to soups and sauces may be an easy way to work to lower cholesterol.
Eat Walnuts and Salmon for Omega 3
Eat foods like walnuts, salmon, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, and flax seeds to work to improve cholesterol levels. Omega 3 fats are good for overall heart health and help the body to function well. Also, when cooking, use olive oil or butter rather than margarine, which contains unhealthy fats and chemicals.
Eat Oatmeal Regularly
Eating oatmeal or cereals with oats such as cheerios will help to lower cholesterol levels. Oats help transport fat out of the body. Oats naturally lower cholesterol levels. Starting to eat oatmeal for breakfast a few times a week will help to lower cholesterol levels gradually. Eat natural oats and avoid commercially packaged, flavored oatmeal as it often contains unhealthy fats and chemicals.
Avoid Overeating
Avoid extra snacks or meals which increase the level of fat circulating in the blood. Stick to the set amount of meals daily, whether 3 standard meals of a higher number of smaller meals. Do not snack randomly; also, avoid unhealthy snacks like potato chips, nachos or dips that contain very high levels of fat.
