Hypercholesterolemia, or high cholesterol, is a medical condition that can lead to heart disease, heart attacks and other serious medical problems. Because dietary intake of cholesterol affects the levels of cholesterol in the blood, it is important to avoid high-cholesterol foods. Replacing these foods with alternatives that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol can help reduce blood cholesterol to a safer level.
Whole Eggs
According to Dr. Thomas Behrenbeck, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic, one whole egg contains 213 mg of cholesterol. Because adults are advised to eat less than 300 mg of cholesterol per day, this is a substantial amount of cholesterol in one serving of food. People with high levels of low-density lipoprotein (“bad” cholesterol), diabetics and people with heart disease should eat less than 200 mg of cholesterol per day. Reduce your intake of whole eggs by using egg whites or egg substitutes to prepare meals. If you do eat a whole egg one day, limit your cholesterol intake for the rest of the day.
Shellfish
Shellfish contains a moderate amount of cholesterol, so prepare shellfish dishes carefully, and limit your consumption to small portions. Avoid eating shellfish with cream-based sauces or butter, which add cholesterol, fat and calories to your daily intake. If you eat a large serving of shellfish, limit your cholesterol intake during other meals to avoid getting more than the recommended daily amount of cholesterol. Avoid high-cholesterol shellfish such as shrimp and crab in favor of scallops or mussels, which have less than 50 mg of cholesterol per serving, according to Yale-New Haven Hospital.
Organ Meats
Organ meats such as sweetbreads, liver and kidneys are high in cholesterol. Avoid eating large portions of these foods to reduce cholesterol intake. If you want to get the benefits of organ meats without increasing your daily cholesterol intake, use cooking methods such as broiling and grilling, which do not add cholesterol, fat and calories. Avoid heavy sauces, breadcrumbs and other ingredients that contain cholesterol.
Fried Foods
Saturated fat plays a role in cholesterol levels, so avoid fried foods if you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol. According to the New York Times Health Guide on cholesterol, you should limit your total fat intake to no more than 35 percent of your daily calories. No more than 7 percent of these calories should come from saturated fat, which is found in high levels in fried foods. Avoid fried potatoes, chicken strips, fried eggs, fried fish, onion rings and fried vegetables. Replace them with baked or broiled foods that do not have butter, cream sauces or heavy dressings.
High-Fat Desserts
Desserts that are high in total fat and saturated fat can contribute to high levels of cholesterol. Cakes, cookies, pastries and pies contain high amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol. Baked goods made with lard contain particularly high levels of saturated fat. Avoid these desserts and replace them with low-fat, low-cholesterol options. Angel food cake, fresh fruit with low-fat whipped topping and fat-free pudding are good alternatives.
