If your doctor drew a blood sample at your last exam and found that your cholesterol and triglyceride levels were higher than normal, it's time to take action to prevent serious health complications. Cholesterol and triglycerides are fatty substances that can build up in the blood, eventually sticking to arteries and blood vessels and clogging them. Clogged arteries can lead to a debilitating heart attack or stroke, so it's important to treat existing high cholesterol and high triglycerides and change your diet to keep fats from building up in your blood again.
Watch Meat Intake
Red meat can be high in fat and cholesterol, so steer clear of a fatty ribeye and other red meats laden with fat. Also avoid the skin on chicken and turkey, and opt for just the lean meat itself. Fish is another good choice; tuna and salmon are some healthy options.
Low-Fat Diet
Limit saturated and trans fats in your heart-healthy diet. These are the unhealthy fats, found in a lot of animal-based foods and junk foods. That means choose healthier olive or canola oil instead of butter, and avoid cookies, cakes, potato chips and fast food to limit your saturated fat intake. Learn to read labels and check for saturated fat content.
Low-Cholesterol Diet
A lot of foods are high in cholesterol, so it's best to avoid them in your healthy diet. Make sure your daily intake is less than 300mg each day by avoiding egg yolks, whole-fat dairy products (milk, cheese, etc.) and liver and other meats that are organs.
Low-Sugar Diet
Sugar in the diet can increase triglyceride levels, so you'll need to limit those as well. Skip candies, sugary drinks such as soda and fruit drinks, syrup, honey and desserts to help lower triglyceride levels.
Whole-Grain Diet
Whole-grain foods can help lower high cholesterol and high triglycerides in the blood, so stock your pantry full of them. Look for whole-grain breads, pastas, cereals and brown rice instead of their less healthy counterparts.
Diet Rich in Fruits and Vegetables
Fiber-rich fruits and veggies naturally lower high cholesterol and fats in the blood. Eat them as a snack or a side, or learn how to make whole meals based on vegetables instead of a grilled steak or burger.
